NATIONAL POPCORN DAY: DOUBLE CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE KETTLE CORN RECIPE

National Popcorn Day!

Popcorn is one of my all-time favorite party foods. There is just so much you can do with it. I like to season it with different spices or even herbs. Rosemary-Sea Salt is one of my favorite combos. For something over the top and decadent, try this one. White and dark chocolate. Salt. Popcorn. What's not to love?

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Double Drizzled Kettle Corn - white and dark chocolate over salty popcorn. Decadent. Delicious. Deadly addictive! Photo credit: Tamika Moore/Birmingham News

DOUBLE DRIZZLE KETTLE CORN 

INGREDIENTS 

¼ cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup popcorn kernels

3 tablespoons sugar

1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt

½ cup bittersweet chocolate chips

½ cup white chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot or stock pot with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat. Add the popcorn. When the oil begins to hiss, sprinkle the sugar over the kernels. Cover with the lid. Hold the lid down with a potholder and shake the pot over the heat until the popping begins. Shake vigorously until the popping begins to slow down. (It goes from popped to burnt very quickly) Remove from the heat; toss with the salt. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spread the popcorn out onto the pans, being careful not to overlap the kernels.

Melt the chocolate separately in a heatproof bowl over a double boiler. Stir frequently and keep the heat low because the chocolate will burn easily.

Dip a fork in the chocolate and drizzle it over the popcorn. Do the same with the white chocolate. Allow to set until dry. Break into pieces to serve. You can store it in an airtight container in a cool spot for up to a week. 

RECIPES FOR PUFF PASTRY, MY HOLIDAY SECRET WEAPON

Frozen puff pastry is my go-to secret weapon for the holidays. I keep it on hand for those situations when you have last minute guests or simply run out of time to get something made. Find puff pastry in boxes in the frozen food section of the store where you'd find frozen pie crust or rolls. Keep a few boxes in your freezer for a delicious and elegant appetizer or dessert. Easy, impressive and fast; you will wonder how you lived without it. 

Here are a few of my favorite recipes using puff pastry that are simply perfect when you need to pull together something fast and absolutely delicious!

PUFF PASTRY PALMIERS

These are those swirled cookies that you often see in bakeries in France or Argentina, often referred to as elephant ears.

Get the recipe...

These Puff Pastry Palmiers or "elephant ear" cookies are so simple to make. Roll out the puff pastry into sugar and cinnamon and you've got a buttery, sugary bite of heaven.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Napoleons are absolutely one of the easiest desserts to make but they are also one of the most impressive looking desserts you can serve to guests. They'll never guess how simple they are to make! Get the recipe....

Strawberry Napoleons are so pretty, so easy, so delicious.... and with puff pastry, there are soooo many possibilities!

PUFF PASTRY PARTY SQUARES

I made this recipe for Food Network Star when I needed something using pastrami that would travel well and taste good served room temperature. This is best served warm and not hot straight from the oven. You can use just about anything you want inside the pastry. I used ham and cheese since it is an eternal favorite but you can use beef, pork or even vegetables. Get the recipe...

RECIPE: PUFF PASTRY STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

Easy to make but impressive to serve, these Strawberry Napoleons made from frozen puff pastry you buy in a box at the store will be your new go-to for dessert. I've made these with all sorts of fillings...

Be creative and use your own favorite flavors or whatever fruit that is in season. Find the puff pastry in a box (Pepperidge Farm is good and readily available at most stores) in the same section where you find frozen pie crust and frozen rolls.

Simply cut puff pastry sheets you find m the freezer section of the store into the size or shape you like, bake, slice, and fill with your favorite fruit and flavored whipped cream.

STRAWBERRY NAPOLEONS

INGREDIENTS

2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional)

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup Marscapone cheese

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 tablespoons + more Confectioners sugar (you will need some for garnish)

1 orange for a bit of juice and the zest (optional)

1 box of frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions

all-purpose flour (for rolling pastry)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  

Clean, core and slice strawberries. Put in a bowl with the sugar and Grand Marnier. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the whipping cream, vanilla and 2-3 tablespoons of the Confectioners sugar plus 2 tablespoons orange juice (or use Grand Marnier) and 1 teaspoon orange zest. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold in the Marscapone cheese. Spoon into a piping bag. Refrigerate.

Dust the work surface with a little flour so it won't stick. Open one package of the puff pastry. Cut along the fold lines to make 3 pieces and cut each of those into 4 pieces. Repeat with the second package. Put on the baking sheet and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

Split each of the puff pastry squares in half. Put the bottom halves on a serving plate. Pipe with whipping cream mixture.

Drain the strawberries. Add a layer on top of the whipped cream. Pipe some additional whipping cream and put on the top. Dust with powdered sugar.

There are a million variations on this recipe. Add a drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra special finish.

Cook fresh fruits like peaches, apples, pears, or plums until they are slightly softened. Add some sugar and heat until dissolved. Add brandy or other liqueur (off the heat so it won't flame) to create a sauce. Allow to cool before spooning onto the puff pastry. Or use frozen fruit with a little sugar and the brandy to accomplish the same thing.