When its 3am and I’m not writing; I just want to cuddle up with hubby and watch a movie. Then we get to talking, next we’re thirsty, which reminds us were hungry and to end this ‘If You Give A Mouse a Cookie’ style vicious cycle, we start scavenging through the kitchen, foraging for just the right snack. I am always wanting naughty foods. I’m usually craving spicy chicken or chocolate, but then he asks if I can just make yummy stove-top popcorn.

That’s how the idea struck and I started making these; Sriracha Flavored Popcorn and Nutella Flavor Popcorn.

It’s flavored, because sometimes I use hot chili flakes or jalepeno powder instead of sriracha or buy different brands of chocolate nut butter instead of Nutella because the name brand is so popular the Carrefour here in Maadi, Cairo is often sold out. And there was that one time I mixed melt dark chocolate with peanut butter messer but mmmm delicious! Without further adieu:

SRIRACHA FLAVORED POPCORN

INGREDIENTS

1-2 Tbsp of Sriracha (your favorite hot sauce or hot pepper powder)

2 Tbsp of Butter

1/3 a cup of popcorn

Salt to taste

SUPPLIES

Big pot with lid

Big bowl with lid

Wooden spoon

Mesh spoon/ dotted spoon to remove popcorn from pan but avoid unpopped kernels

DIRECTIONS

After preparing ingredients put the pot on medium heat and butter.
Once the butter melts add the popcorn. Carefully using a wooden spoon to ensure are all the kernels are coated with the butter.
Place the lid on. As the popping starts take the handle and slide the pot back and forth over the heat to regulate the temperature and move the kernels around.
Let it pop for 3-5 minutes and then monitor it closely. As the popping slows down to approximately 7 seconds between pops and you kitchen smells of delicious popcorn, turn the heat off. Next is an optional step; put on oven mitts and pinch the lid down while holding the handles. This allows you to flip the pot oven and shake it about to let any remaining kernels have chance to fall to the bottom, potential hitting a warm spot and popping open.
Put the pot on a trivet and have your bowl and mesh spoon ready. As you open the pot use your lid as a shield and stand back because these babies like to pop up and burn you! Use the spoon to quickly transfer the Popcorn to the bowl. If you have kernels left you can try to pop them using the same Method as above or discard the kernels.
Add salt and sriracha the stir or toss. Pro-tip use a bowl with a lid and shake it up to thoroughly coat it.

Mmm, delicious spicy goodness. Just was you’re reaching for a cold glass of water you’re going to think…I wish I had some chocolaty-goodness to balance this out. Well here’s the perfect thing:

NUTELLA FLAVORED POPCORN

INGREDIENTS

1-2 Tbsp of Nutella (your favorite chocolaty nut spread)