Popcorn Topping Pizza Savory Recipes

PIZZA POPCORN

Steps:

• In a food processor, puree the butter, tomatoes and garlic until it forms a smooth paste. Heat a small saute pan over medium heat and add the butter mixture. Heat the butter until melted down and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Keep warm.
• Heat a large saucepan over high heat. Once hot, add the popcorn kernels and oil, and shake the pan to coat the kernels in the oil. Cover and continue to cook over high heat until the kernels begin to pop. Shake the pan once again and reduce the heat to medium-high. Continue to cook until the popping slows dramatically, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Pour the popped popcorn into a large bowl. While still warm, add the flavored butter, cheese, oregano and salt. Toss to coat, and then serve.

SAVORY HERB POPCORN

Steps:

• Place the oil, popcorn and salt in a large, 6-quart, metal mixing bowl. Cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil and poke 10 slits in the top with a knife.
• Place the bowl over medium heat and shake constantly using a pair of tongs to hold the bowl. Continue shaking until the popcorn finishes popping, approximately 3 minutes.
• Remove the bowl from the heat and carefully remove the foil. Stir in any salt that is on the side of the bowl. Sprinkle the herbs on the popcorn and gently stir to coat.
• Melt the butter in the microwave. Slowly drizzle over the popcorn, while spinning the bowl. Stir to combine. Serve immediately.

KIDS CAN MAKE: PIZZA POPCORN

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the bottom of the oven, and preheat it to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment, and generously coat with cooking spray. Spread the tomato paste out into a thin layer on the parchment (an offset metal spatula works best). Bake until the paste deepens to brick red and is dull in color and not shiny in any spots, about 2 hours. (It will look and feel like fruit leather.) Let it cool. Tear the paste into small pieces, and finely grind them in batches in the spice grinder.
• Add all the ground tomato paste back into the spice grinder, along with the Parmesan, oregano, garlic salt and pepper flakes, and grind to a fine powder. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The spice blend makes enough for about 6 batches of popcorn.
• To make 1 batch of pizza popcorn: Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup kernels; when one pops, cover the pot, and cook, shaking the pot constantly, until the popping subsides to 1 pop every 20 seconds. Add some melted butter and 2 heaping tablespoons of pizza spice, toss to coat.

PIZZA POPCORN

Steps:

• Place popcorn in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Melt butter in a small saucepan; add the remaining ingredients. Pour over popcorn and mix well. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15 minutes.