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Seriously Simple: Sporty popcorn is the perfect nosh for the big game

By Diane Rossen Worthington, Tribune Content Agency on

In the past few years popcorn has become a culinary trend. Butter and salt may be OK at the movie theater when those are your only choices. Now colorful, sweet and savory combinations are available in your den or living room and take so little time that it's easy to do a popcorn bar of fun flavors.

Ashton Epps Swank has written a book just about party popcorn. She has blended freshly popped popcorn with surprising colors and flavors like Cran-Apple Cinnamon, Salted Honey-Butter, Taco-Lime and S'mores. The recipes below call for 8 cups of popcorn. Remember that a half cup raw popcorn makes about 8 cups. All of her recipes are lightning fast to put together and are perfect for munching while game watching.

In the spirit of sports buffs everywhere, I have selected these recipes that will spice up any football viewing party. Make one or both and serve in rustic bowls along with cocktail napkins. These snacks will go fast, so you may want to double them for a larger group. Frosty beer is the perfect companion.

Buffalo Ranch Popcorn

If you are sensitive to spicy flavors, just be sure to buy a mild Buffalo sauce (the creamy-looking sauces are usually less spicy). But if you're looking for a little flame, use an extra-spicy sauce, throw in a splash or two of hot sauce, and add a little ground cayenne pepper to the ranch seasoning. You'll have a fire on your hands in no time!

Serves 4 to 6.

 

8 cups popped popcorn (1/2 cup kernels OR two 3.5 ounce bags yields about 8 cups popped popcorn)

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons Buffalo wing sauce

Half of a 1-ounce envelope ranch dressing mix or 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning

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