Kevin Bacon Popcorn Food

BACON-JALAPEñO POPCORN

Steps:

• Set a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp and browned and the fat has rendered, about 8 minutes. Stir in the jalapeños and cook until charred, 2 minutes. Line a plate with a paper towel and use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon and jalapeños to the plate. Set aside.
• Add the olive oil to the pot and increase the heat to high. Add the popcorn kernels and toss well to coat them in the oil. Spread the kernels evenly on the bottom of the pot, then cover the pot with the lid. When the first kernels start to pop, very slightly uncover the pot and shake the pot back and forth directly over the heat. Cook until the kernels stop popping, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and pour the popcorn into a large bowl. Add the reserved bacon and jalapeños, the cheese and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss well to mix. Serve warm.

TACO POPCORN

Steps:

• Combine the popcorn, corn chips and tortilla strips in a large bowl.
• Place a small pot over low heat. Heat the butter until melted, about 1 minute. Add the hot sauce, taco seasoning and lime zest and whisk to combine. Drizzle the butter mixture over the popcorn. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

TACO POPCORN

Steps:

• For the spice mix: Put half the tomato strips in a single layer on a microwavable plate. Microwave in 30-second increments, checking the texture in between, until they begin to harden but are still red and slightly pliable, 1 to 2 minutes. (They may begin to brown and taste bitter if cooked too long.) Let sit until cool and completely hardened, about 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining tomato strips.
• Transfer the cooled tomato strips to a spice grinder and grind to a powder. Discard any pieces that won't grind. Add the nutritional yeast, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt, and grind to a fine powder. Reserve 2 heaping tablespoons for the popcorn. Store the remaining taco spice blend at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. (You?ll have enough to make 3 more batches of popcorn.)
• For the taco popcorn: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the popcorn kernels. When one pops, cover the pot and cook, shaking the pot constantly, until the popping subsides to 1 pop every 20 seconds. Pour in the melted butter and toss to coat. Add the reserved taco spice blend, the cheese, scallions and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and toss again to coat.

BACON JALAPENO POPCORN

Steps:

• 1. Set a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy and browned and the fat has rendered, about 8 minutes. Add the jalapenos to the pot and stir well. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the jalapenos are charred. Line a plate with a paper towel and use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon and jalapenos to the plate. Set aside.
• 2. Add the olive oil to the pot and increase the heat to high. Add the popcorn kernels and toss well to coat them in the oil. Spread the kernels evenly on the bottom of the pot, then cover the pot with the lid. When the first kernels start to pop, very slightly uncover the pot. Shake the pot back and forth directly over the heat. Cook until the kernels stop popping, 2 to 3 minutes.
• 3. Remove the pot from the heat and pour the popcorn into a large bowl. Add the reserved bacon and jalapenos, the Parmesan, and the salt. Toss well to mix. Serve warm.