December Daily: Big Red Popcorn

This is another old Tupperware recipe, I have been doing it at parties for over 15 years. It's a nice twist on caramel corn as it isn't as sweet. The Red Hots give it a refreshing little "zip".

We made it for Miss Sarah's class party today, an popped it into the cute little snowman treat bags. Add a giant platter of cookies and we were all ready!

First of all, I want to teach you how to pop popcorn in the microwave.
:)

I am not talking about those nasty little bags that come from the store...those have been linked to a condition now known as "popcorn lung". The fake butter creates a gas when heated, that gas enters your lungs if you are the person who opens that hot bag. You can read about it HERE or HERE . Anyone who already has a RAD (Restrictive Airway Disease) is supposed to avoid it. I learned waaaaay more than I wanted to when my mom was diagnosed with COPD.

Now, for the healthy kind of microwave popcorn! 
You need:

• A TupperWave 3Qt Casserole with cover. (It's microwave safe/food safe/BPA Free)
• 1/4 popcorn

That's it. No oil, no chemicals, simple.

Zap for 2 minutes and 45 seconds, 3 minutes if your microwave is older.

You just made 8-9 cups of Air Popped Popcorn! You could add your melted butter and salt to enjoy while watching your favorite movie, OR make this recipe.

Do that three times and dump it all in a paper bag, you are now ready to go! 

Big Red Popcorn

26 Cups Popped Popcorn
9 Oz. Pkg. Red Hots
½ Cup Margarine or butter
¼ Cup Light Corn Syrup
½ Tsp. Salt
½ Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Large Brown Grocery Bag

Place popped popcorn (kernels removed) in a paper grocery bag and set aside. In that  TupperWave 3 Qt. casserole, combine the red hots, butter, salt and corn syrup. Microwave on high to dissolve and boil 2 minutes. Add baking soda and stir.

Pour syrup mixture over popped popcorn and shake. (Yes, in the paper bag).

Put bag in microwave and cook on high for 1 minute.

Remove and shake. Return to microwave and cook 1 more minute.

Cool before serving. This is where you can then package it for giving out. (or rip into it like a monkey on a cupcake....)

**This is a super frugal recipe if you get the candy after the holiday -- like after Christmas or Valentine's Day. It's less than $.50 a bag and keeps almost forever.