Popcorn and movies go together like Boogie and Bacall.

Why not whip up a few batches of popcorn and open up a bottle of bubbly and watch the 89th Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26.

If you are really lazy, you can make your popcorn in the microwave.

Personally, I prefer to make my popcorn from scratch…it tastes so much better and it is really easy to do.  If you prefer to be healthier, just air pop your popcorn and save three quarters of the calories.

No matter how you make your popcorn, sitting back and munching on it while watching the Oscars will make your evening more delicious no matter what the entertainment.

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(Yields about 16 Cups)

Basic Popcorn Recipe

Popcorn with Old Bay

Seasoning

Peanut Butter Popcorn

Rocky Road Popcorn

Kir Royale

Basic Popcorn Recipe

1/4 cup vegetable or

canola oil

1 cup popcorn (I use Bob’s

Blue Mill, which comes in

a plastic bag and is sold in

The Bob’s Blue Mill section

of most supermarkets)

1.  In a large covered pot, heat oil.  Add two kernels.  If they pop, you are ready to go.

2.  Add popcorn kernels and cover pot.  Cook while shaking pot.  When popping ends, you are done. Then proceed with any or all of the following recipes.

NOTE:  If you like bacon flavor, substitute 1/2 cup of bacon grease for oil

If you like duck flavor, substitute 1/2 cup of duck fat for oil.

If you like truffle flavor, add 1/8 cup of truffle butter (available in Gourmet Grocery stores) to the oil.

Popcorn with
Old Bay Seasoning

4 tblsp. sweet butter

2 tblsp. Old Bay Seasoning

3 cups  Oyster Crackers

(optional)

1.  Melt butter and stir in Old Bay Seasoning.  Drizzle over popcorn.  Toss with Oyster Crackers if you desire.

Peanut Butter Popcorn

1 cup honey

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1  tsp. vanilla extract

1  tsp. salt

2  cups peanuts

1.  In a saucepan, warm honey and sugar until sugar is dissolved.

2.  Stir in remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth.

3.  Pour over popcorn, add peanuts.

4.  Spread on baking sheets and let cool.

Rocky Road 

Popcorn

5 tblsp. sweet butter

2 tsps. vanilla

2 tsps. Kosher salt

2 cups mini marshmellows

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Roasted almonds

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Melt butter and add vanilla and salt.

3.  Drizzle over popcorn and toss with 2 cups of mini marshmellows, chocolate chips, to taste (I use a whole bag of Nestles) and almonds to taste (I use a whole can of Blue Diamond).

4.  Spread on baking sheet(s) and bake for 2 minutes.

5.  Cool slightly and serve.

Kir Royale

(Makes about 16 servings)

2 bottles champagne, chilled

1 bottle creme de cassis,

chilled

12  champagne flutes

1.  Place a 1/2 shot of creme de cassis in a champagne flute.  Top with champagne and serve.  Sante!

Alexandra Troy is owner of Culinary Architect Catering, a 32 year-old Greenvale-based company, specializing in private, corporate and promotional parties.  She lives in Manhasset with her husband and son.