Recipe: Sweet and Salty Brown Butter Popcorn
Popcorn is, I believe, the perfect New Year's Eve food, from the drama of the firecracker-like pops to the fact that it's surprisingly delicious with champagne. This festive sweet and salty popcorn combines the nutty richness of brown butter with brown sugar, toasted almonds and sesame seeds. Whether you're throwing a party or sitting on the couch watching "The Twilight Zone" marathon, it'll add some magic to your night.
Sweet & Salty Brown Butter Popcorn
Serves 6-8
8 cups popped popcorn (see Recipe Notes)
1 cup salted roasted almonds
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons toasted black sesame seeds
2 tablespoons toasted white sesame seeds
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
Preheat the oven to 300°F.
Combine the popcorn and almonds in a large bowl.
Melt the butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring as it melts and foams. When the butter develops brown flecks on the bottom of the pan and smells nutty, remove it from the heat. Stir in the brown sugar.
Drizzle the butter over the popcorn and almonds. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and salt and toss to coat.
Spread the mixture onto a large baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes:
• To make 8 cups of popcorn on the stovetop or in a hot air popper, use 1/4 cup popcorn kernels. For microwave popcorn, use 2 (3-ounce) bags of plain unsalted popcorn. You can also use store-bought popped popcorn, adjusting the recipe to account for any added salt.
