Popular snack Posted On: Wednesday, Oct. 14 2009 01:32 AM From staff reports

October is National Popcorn Poppin' Month, making it the perfect time to try some new popcorn recipes.

Whether its savory, sweet or salty, more than 16 billion quarts of popcorn are consumed by Americans each year, according to the Popcorn Board.

Popcorn is a healthy snack – it's made from whole grains and is high in fiber while being low in calories and sugar.

Popcorn is a perfect choice whether you want party foods with pop, munchies for the movies, or a simple snack.

Did you know?

Popcorn needs between 13.5-14 percent moisture to pop.

Most U.S. popcorn is grown in the Midwest, primarily in Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri.

The peak period for popcorn sales for home consumption is in the fall.

Most popcorn comes in two basic shapes when it's popped: snowflake and mushroom. Snowflake is used in movie theaters and ballparks because it looks and pops bigger. Mushroom is used for candy confections because it doesn't crumble.

Popping popcorn is one of the top uses for microwave ovens.

"Popability" is popcorn lingo that refers to the percentage of kernels that pop.

How high popcorn kernels can pop? Up to 3 feet in the air.

If you made a trail of popcorn from New York City to Los Angeles, you would need more than 352,028,160 popped kernels!

– Source: Popcorn.org

SWEET CINNAMON CHOCOLATE POPCORN

Ingredients:
3 quarts popped popcorn
Butter-flavored cooking spray
9 tablespoons powdered cocoa mix (cocoa sweetened with sugar or sugar substitute)
3 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:
1. Put popcorn in a large bowl and lightly spray with cooking spray.

2. Sprinkle cocoa mix and cinnamon on popcorn.

3. Toss to coat evenly.

4. Spray and toss again until mixture is well coated.

5. Serve immediately.

Yields: 3 quarts

– Popcorn.org

HERBED POPCORN AND CHILI SOUP TOPPER

Ingredients:
4 cups air-popped popcorn
Butter or original flavor cooking spray
1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon Cajun Creole seasoning or chili powder

Directions:
1. Place popcorn in a large, clean paper bag.

2. Spray popcorn lightly with cooking spray, about 5 quick sprays.

3. Sprinkle parsley, thyme, basil, oregano and Cajun Creole seasoning onto popcorn.

4. Close bag and shake to distribute seasoning.

5. Sprinkle on chili or soup at serving time.

Yields: 4 cups

- Popcorn.org

Pumpkin Pie spice popcorn bark

Ingredients:
3 cups popped popcorn
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup "O"-shaped crisp cereal
1/2 cup pepitas (salted pumpkin seeds) or shelled sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1 teaspoon pumpkin spice mix
2 packages (6 ounces each) white baking chocolate, chopped

Directions:
1. Line a large baking sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine popcorn, marshmallows, pecans, cereal, pepitas, dried cranberries and pumpkin spice mix.

3. Place chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in microwave 1 minute. Stir to melt; microwave an additional minute. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour melted chocolate over popcorn mixture. Mix until well coated and spread in an even layer into prepared pan. Cool at room temperature until firm (or refrigerate). Cut into squares to serve.

4. Store in an airtight container.

– Popcorn.org