Best Bites: Pass the Popcorn
By Donna Erickson
Pass the Popcorn
The smell and taste of freshly popped popcorn makes me think of good times with the people I enjoy. The recent "March Madness" get-togethers just wouldn't have been complete if we hadn't passed the popcorn between jump shots.
PHOTO CREDIT: Donna Erickson
Popcorn is definitely an instant crowd-pleaser, and our longtime family friend, Geneva Johnson, knows it best. When we arrived at her lake cabin to spend a weekend with other adults and kids, she greeted us at the front door with a giant bowl of popcorn in her outstretched arms. The bigger the bowl, the better, as far as she was concerned!
Here's an easy recipe to spice up basic popcorn for when your friends stop by:
SOUTHWEST PARTY POPCORN
10 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
3-2-1 popcorn flavoring to taste (see recipe below), or taco seasoning mix
10-ounce package tortilla chips
1 tablespoon chopped scallions
1 cup salsa
Let's get started: Spread popcorn into an 11-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle 3-2-1 flavoring and cheese onto the popcorn. Place tortilla chips around the popcorn at edges of baking dish.
Bake in oven at 350 F for 2-3 minutes, until cheese is melted. Remove from oven, garnish with chopped scallions, set a bowl of salsa in center of dish, and serve. Dip chips one at a time in the salsa, then scoop up the spicy, cheesy popcorn.
Cook's Tip: Make a mold for the salsa bowl by pressing the bowl into the popcorn inside the baking dish. Remove the bowl before placing the baking dish in the oven.
3-2-1 POPCORN FLAVORING
3 tablespoons white cheddar cheese powder
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin powder
Combine the ingredients and pour into a clean spice jar. Make your own family label and attach to the jar.
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Donna Erickson creates relationships and community through food and fun. Find more to nourish and delight you at www.donnaerickson.com.
(c) 2025 Donna Erickson
Distributed by King Features Synd.