Srikalanna’s Cookbook: Spicy Orange Popcorn

It’s cold and wet here in Southern California, so it seems like a good time to present my twist on that old gamer staple: popcorn.

My gamer friends are divided into two camps on popcorn. There’s the old fashioned stovetop crowd and the hot-air-popper crowd. I’m in the latter group, naturally, since it means less dishes to wash — and also a lower-calorie snack, since you don’t need oil.  But suit yourself :)

Start some popcorn popping.

In a small microwavable dish (ramekin, custard cup, teacup or the like) put a couple of tablespoons of real butter. (If you use salted, don’t add salt to the popcorn.) To this, add a tablespoon or so of powdered chili, according to taste. You can use chili powder, which has other spices mixed in, or plain ground chilis. Melt the butter in the microwave.

Put the popcorn in a bowl and drizzle over it the melted butter, which by now will be bright orange. Note: You need less butter using this method than if butter is your only topping, since it’s more flavorful.

Toss and eat :)

Variations:

• adding a little bit of cinnamon to the chili gives an interesting flavor
• sprinkle some finely-grated Parmesan over the whole thing, after you add the butter – delicious but ups the calorie count

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