A relaxed part of the day was well spent popping popcorn in a big pot on the stove top. They pops were intermittent, and they got me excited (for I have never before popped the kernels on the stove top) and they did pop with some flavors.
Whether you’re looking for a quick afternoon snack, thinking of a movie, or a planning camping or car trip – the popcorn has you covered. Popcorn is intertwined deeply with every child’s life; be it a memory of the fun times with family and friends in a movie theater, or sleepovers and late night snack or may be just to satisfy that crunchy, savory craving. The warm fluffy popped corns provide that instant gratification and in a way they are healthier than a lot of other snacks.
My childhood memories are quite different; no movies or sleepovers or camping trips. It was not a family affair for us to pop corn kernels at home.
My memories are all outside home – out on the streets. I remember the hand pulled cart that would come by in our neighborhood during the early evening. The man would draw all the kids around the cart with just by the charm of the portable stove popping fresh popcorn and serving them warm and fluffy in hand made newspaper cups. Or the lady who sat by the street in a corner during a fair and popped them in a wok full of sand; she would later sieve the sand out and measured out the popped kernels in the cone newspaper cups. I distinctly remember the cart and the street corner, the stove and the way we kids would run to get these treats.
We are so used to the plain salted popcorn, that the idea of the adding spices to it never occurred to me till a few years back. I am not fond of the sweet caramel popcorn or the cheesy one or even the ones dripping with the buttery flavors. The simple salted ones are the ones I love. But when I saw the crispy onions and the fried peppers in this recipe from Food and Wine, it immediately got me.
Besides I got to pop the kernels for the first time on the stove.
Crispy onion, fried hot peppers, pepper flakes and the aromatic nigella for Popcorn with a spicy kick. Adapted from Food and Wine
Indian Spiced Popcorn
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, very thinly sliced
- 3 hot chili peppers, very thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons garam masala/ or any curry powder
- 1 teaspoon nigella seeds/ black onion seeds/kalonji
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup popcorn kernels
- sea salt
Preparation:In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil. Add the sliced onions and the chili peppers and fry over medium – high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are golden, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the fried onions and peppers with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
In the same pot, cook the garam masala/curry powder, pepper flakes and nigella seeds over moderate heat until fragrant, about a minute.
Stir in the popcorn kernels and toss well for all the spices to coat the kernels; cover and cook, shaking the pan every 30 seconds, until the kernels have stopped popping, about 8-10 minutes. Season the popcorn with salt and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle the popcorn with the fried onions and chili peppers and pepper flakes, gently toss.
Serve as snacks.
Spiced up this way, with loads of flavors, these are not just a child’s treat any more. The spicy popcorn work really well with drinks and cocktails. Or serve them as some fiery Devilish Halloween Treats.
Related Posts:
Chola Mix – Spiced Brown Chickpeas
Pineapple and Pepper Jack
Around the Food World
Stunning photographs …. and a healthy snack
Oh this is interesting and looks so tasty. I need to remember this one the next time I have a popcorn craving! Love the photography too!
What a pretty pot that is!! Pop corn is actually popping out in the pics:).
A wonderful snack!
Cheers,
Rosa
Soma,
quite late now but shobho bijoya to you and yours..
Snaps are very tempting..I do pop them in M/W but then I do use ready made or instant popcorn packets..used to do popcorn in Pressure cooker pan back in India..oh! now you are making me crave some..beautiful clicks..hugs and smiles
Delicious !! super clicks too !!
This reminds me of the pop corn we get infront of the shops in india you know the small glass shop were they sell pop corns, this i am gonna try . But have to say i am the only one who like pop corn in my place.
Love the idea of making spicy and tangy popcorn.
I have never used onions in my popcorn, looks delicious ! Stunning pics as always….
I have always tried only with instant pop corn in microwave. What kind of corn kernels did you use? Are they fresh kernels or do you have to dry them?
I have used the dried corn kernels (as in the picture in that little pot), which I got from the Whole Food.
This sounds delicious, Soma!What a wonderful snack…..Love the pictures.
Indianized popcorn sounds absolutely awesome..
wow, very interesting twist!
Love popcorn but never tasted an Indian spiced version mmmm so yummy to try it soon 🙂
Cheers,
Gera
Thats how I knew popcorns to be. You are now a popcorn diva to have elevated corn kernels to this level. Lovely! I heart it.
What a beautiful popcorn recipe. I am looking forward to making it!
Laura
This popcorns look great…love the creativity and must taste so yummie…actually would love to have some now as we are ready to watch a game 🙂
Aha… that green chillies make me smile… only the braves and the bolds could have done that and you’re one of them 🙂
I don’t ususally like popcorn but even I couldn’t resist when you spice things up as I’m an Indian food/spice FIEND. Great idea!
I have to tell you, I have a serious thing about popcorn. I’ve always loved it, and savory flavors are my favorite. This sounds fantastic! I have to try this right away.
Now this will definitely liven up popcorn! Great use of spices here & lovely photos.
Love the popcorn still life! It’s amazing that you have photographed something so mundane, but a thing of beauty. Congratulations on your DMBLGiT win!
Oh my! I’ve never thought of adding curry. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I’m going to link it to my popcornblog–hope you don’t mind!
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