How To Season Popcorn

Steps:

• In microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter on HIGH until melted, about 1 minute.
• Stir in sugar, corn syrup, pineapple juice concentrate and rum extract, if desired.
• Microwave on HIGH until mixture boils, about 3 minutes, stirring once.
• Microwave on HIGH 3 to 4 minutes without stirring.
• In large, shallow microwave-safe baking dish, combine popped popcorn and coconut.
• Slowly pour in juice mixture, stirring to mix.
• Place in microwave oven and microwave on 75% POWER approximately 6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
• Turn popcorn onto wax paper or aluminum foil and allow to cool completely.
• Break apart and store in tightly-covered container.

Steps:

• Heat a small, dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cardamom, coriander, cumin seeds, and the peppercorns, and toast for 30 to 45 seconds, swirling the mixture occasionally until the seeds release their aroma and start to brown. Divide the toasted spice mixture in half. Transfer one half of this mixture to a spice grinder and pulse to a fine powder. (You can prepare the spices up to 1 week in advance and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.).
• In a blender, combine the remaining toasted spice mixture with the buttermilk, serrano chiles, scallions, 15 of the curry leaves, the garlic, 1 tsp of the cayenne, the ginger, lime juice, and 1 Tbsp of the salt. Pulse until completely smooth and transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat from the chicken, and cut the flesh into 1 in [2.5 cm] cubes. Add to the marinade. Seal the bag and shake to coat evenly. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare the dredging mixture. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the remaining half of the ground spice mixture with the flour, baking powder, baking soda, remaining ½ tsp cayenne, and remaining 1 tsp salt, shaking vigorously to blend. Finely chop 10 of the remaining curry leaves and add them to the dredging mixture. Seal the bag and shake again to mix well.
• Once the chicken has marinated, use tongs to lift out half the chicken pieces, shaking off the excess batter, and transfer to the bag with the dredging mixture. Seal the bag and shake to coat evenly. Transfer the chicken pieces to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• In a medium Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat to 350°F [180°C]. Fry the chicken in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or a spider, transfer the chicken to paper towels to drain.
• After the chicken is cooked, prepare the garnish: Cut the Thai chiles in half lengthwise. In the hot oil left in the pot, deep-fry the chiles and remaining 5 curry leaves until crispy, 30 to 40 seconds. Drain on paper towels.
• Put the chicken on a serving plate, garnish with the chiles and fried curry leaves, and serve hot with the maple-vinegar sauce or hot sauce.
• the approach:.
• Whenever I make popcorn chicken or fry larger serving pieces, I flavor the dish in stages. The whole spices are toasted to activate their oils. These are then blended into buttermilk to create a savory marinade. More seasoning is then added to the flour in the dredging mixture, and finally, the hot little nuggets of chicken are topped with crunchy fried curry leaves and chile peppers. While we often eat this with a hot sauce or ranch dressing, the very best accompaniment is the maple-vinegar syrup or green chutney.

Steps:

• Chicken:.
• Preheat canola oil in a heavy bottomed pot to 350 degrees.
• Combine chicken and rice wine vinegar in a large bowl. Allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
• In a shallow baking dish or bowl whisk together cornstarch, salt and pepper. Working in batches dredge the marinated chicken in the cornstarch mixture. Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned and fully cooked. Allow the oil to come up to temperature between frying. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Season with salt.
• Sauce:.
• Combine all ingredients in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Allow the mixture to come to a boil then reduce heat to medium low until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and toss to coat. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Steps:

• In a large skillet or wok, stir-fry green pepper and onion in oil for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain pineapple, reserving the juice in a 2-cup measuring cup; set pineapple aside. Add enough water to the juice to measure 1-1/3 cups; stir in the vinegar, soy sauce and ketchup.
• In a large bowl, combine brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in pineapple juice mixture until smooth. Gradually add to the skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add pineapple. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.
• Meanwhile, microwave chicken according to package directions. Stir into pineapple mixture. Serve immediately over rice.

Steps:

• cut the chicken to 1 inch cubes.
• add the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, five spice, and sesame oil, marinate for at least half an hour in refrigerator.
• roll the chicken pieces in the sweet potato starch to cover evenly.
• heat oil to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit (if you throw some sweet potato starch in the oil, it should sink to the middle of the frying pan, then float to the top).
• carefully drop the chicken one piece at a time and fry for about 2 minutes or until done, turning at least once.
• remove from oil and place on paper towels, sprinkle white pepper and salt while hot, enjoy!