Home-made Microwave Popcorn

I love popcorn!!  I love the ease of microwave popcorn, but I don't like all the chemicals included in it...  The other option is the hot air popper, which we use a lot.. but we store it in a cupboard that is hard to access.   All of this means we don't do popcorn very often.
The other day I was in the grocery store and almost bought the microwave popcorn, then I wondered if I could make it myself.   Turns out I can!
I tried it two ways

First get a simple brown paper bag (yes, a paper lunch bag) and measure out 1/4 of popcorn kernels, 1 tsp olive oil and some salt.

 Pour popcorn kernels in paper bag.

 Add oil and salt.

 Shake, then fold top of bag 3 times.   Put in microwave -- you will need to listen to your own microwave.   Mine took 2 mins.

 Carefully open up bag (there is some steam) and pour into bowl.

 Voila --  popcorn!

And for the more healthy option -- get your paper bag, and 1/4 cup popcorn kernels, place in bag, fold top and pop in microwave.

Who knew microwave popcorn could be so easy and so inexpensive (and so healthy!!)  I found the taste was very similar.   I will continue with the plain popping (no oil) -- kids didn't care, they wanted butter on top. 


Recipe:
1/4 popcorn kernels
paper bag


OR


1/4 popcorn kernels
1 tsp olive oil
salt 
paper pag


place in bag (shake if adding flavouring) fold top of bag 3 times, place in microwave for 2-3 mins.   Cooking times will depend on your own microwave.   Listen and when the pop slows down, its time to take popcorn out.  Mine took 2 minutes.
Enjoy chemical free popcorn!  

Giant Baked Pretzels

I was at home, relaxing (that is code for trying to relax while the kids go crazy beside me) reading (or trying to read while they accidentally kick the magazine out of my hands)...  Then I saw the pretzel recipe.   Mmmmm, I like pretzels.  And I haven't had one like this in years.   So, what do I do when I should be doing something else?  Bake of course.

Giant Baked Pretzels!!

I used my bread machine to make the dough...  (I will add the proper directions below)

The recipe told me to cut into 9 pieces... I cut them into 12.  I'm not sure why I don't follow recipes exactly.

Start rolling them (with a fat middle) until they are about 12" long.

Once they are rolled, take them again and roll until they are about 24" long.  (They still should be fatter in the middle)

Now the fun begins.   Make a big "U" with the dough.

Wind ends of dough twice and place back on top.  Then place them on parchment lined sheets or in my case, stoneware pans.

Loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 30-35 minutes.   Then place in freezer for at least 2 hours.

In a stainless steal pot, water and baking soda.  Put frozen pretzel in boiling water for 45 to 60 seconds.  This will foam and it's ok.  Drain water from pretzel then place on baking sheet. 

Sprinkle with coarse salt, place in 375 oven.  Bake for 20 mins.

Mmmmm, pretzels.   To be enjoyed as is or with mustard.

My helpful helper asked me why I made this recipe, he thought there were so many steps (meaning the freezing and boiling....) I told him, this is the one I saw therefore this is the one I tried.   Yes, I might try a different Pretzel recipe in the future with no boiling and no freezing.  This one was a lot of work but well worth it!  Very yummy!  With or without the mustard.

Recipe:

DOUGH

3 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 tsp instant yeast

2 tsp salt

3/4 cup milk

2 tbsp cold unsalted butter

1 tbsp sugar

1/3 to 1/2 cold water

BOILING

8 cups water

1/2 cup baking soda

coarse salt

1. To make dough - place all ingredients in a bread machine and select "dough" or  add flour yeast and salt to bowl of stand-up mixer.  Mix briefly.  Heat milk until very hot, but not boiling.  Add butter, when melted stir in sugar and 1/3 cup water.

2.  Add warm milk mixture to flour while mixer is running.  Add additional water, if needed.  Need mixture for 3 to 5 minutes.  Leave in place and cover with plastic wrap and let dough rise for an hour or until doubled in size.

3.  Turn machine in just enough to deflate dough.  Place dough on lightly floured surface.  Divide into 9 pieces.

4.  Roll each piece into a rope with a fat middle until about 12" long.   Then Roll each piece again until 24" long.

5.  Make a U, wind ends of dough twice.  Place on parchment paper.  

6.  Loosely cover with plastic and let rise 30-35 mins.  Place into freezer for at least 2 hours.

7.  Bring water and baking soda to boil.  One at a time, place frozen pretzel into boiling water for 45-60 seconds.  Remove with spatula, drain and place on parchment paper covered baking sheets.  Sprinkle coarse salt on top.

8.  Bake at 375 for 20 mins or until deeply browned.  Cool on a rack.  Enjoy

Recipe Source:  LCBO Food & Drink Magazine, Spring 2011

The best Salsa

We as a family love salsa - all kinds of salsa!!!  The best recipe we have come across is this one.   Not sure where I came across the original recipe - I tend to use it as a guide and use whatever I happen to have on hand.  I have added black beans and corn, fresh tomatoes, lots of stuff...  This one I added lime juice - YUMMY! 

To start - I used a can of whole tomatoes, tomato paste, half an onion, garlic, jalapeno pepper and lots of cilantro.

Put the onion, garlic and pepper in the food processor.   Please note - we are not a "spicy" family.   I added just 1 jalapeno pepper, if you like more spice add more peppers!   

Mix/chop

Add the cilantro (and parsley if you have it)

Mix/chop some more, then add some olive oil.

Next add the tomatoes (I like using whole tomatoes in most of my cooking, I think they are better...)

And the tomato paste.

Mix until you want to eat it.

At this point I thought to add some lime juice - as I said before YUMMY!  All salsa should have lime juice added.

Place into jars and enjoy!

Ok, the presentation in a jar isn't the best... put it in a pretty bowl with a side of tortilla chips.

Recipe:

1 can of whole tomatoes

1 can of tomato paste

1 small onion (or half a large)

Garlic - depends on how much you like

Jalapeno - again, depends on how spicy you like it... I use 1

Lots of cilantro - more is better!

Parsley (if you have it)

about 2 tbsp of olive oil

salt and pepper

In a food processor chop onion, garlic and jalapeno pepper.  Add cilantro and parsley, add olive oil, then tomatoes, paste, salt and pepper.

Let sit in fridge for a few hours before serving - to let the flavours mix.

Enjoy!