Seven Layer Casserole...

We have all heard of and maybe even consumed seven layer dip, but what about seven layer casserole? I saw on Southern Food while looking for a tamale pie recipe and thought it was interesting. I would suggest adding a taco seasoning, omitting the bacon and changing the tomato sauce with a can of Rotel. Before serving top with salsa, sour cream and guacamole. I would serve with refried beans and tortillas.

Ingredients:

·         1 cup uncooked rice, washed and drained

·         1 cup whole kernel corn, drained

·         dash salt and pepper

·         1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water

·         1/2 cup chopped onion

·         1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

·         3/4 to 1 pound extra lean ground beef, uncooked and broken up

·         dash salt and pepper

·         1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

·         4 strips bacon, cut in half

·         1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese or Cheddar Jack blend

Preparation:

Layer the ingredients in a buttered 1 1/2- to 2-quart casserole in the order given. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Uncover and cook 30 minutes longer, until bacon is crisp. Top the casserole with the shredded cheese the last 10 to 15 minutes.
Seven layer casserole serves 4.

Popcorn…

We do not get excited for the Super Bowl like most people. Our excitement with the Super Bowl comes from the knowledge that soon we will hear the sweet crack of a bat or the purr of an engine. The Super Bowl means that The Oakland A’s and Texas Rangers are heading to Spring Training. It also means that NASCAR, F1, GT and Rally racing seasons are also starting. It is not that we do not like football, we just prefer college ball to professional.

No matter what sport you chose to watch, popcorn is always a good snack to consume. In an effort to eliminate some unneeded chemicals from our bodies and to save money, I stopped purchasing microwave popcorn bags. I bought an air popper, popcorn popper, yes; you can still buy them new! I bought mine at either Walmart or Target for around $20.00. I have also found with the air popper, it is easier to make different types of popcorn.

* Just a note, one regular size bag of microwave popcorn is the equivalent to ½ cup of uncooked popcorn. You can use microwave popcorn for any of these recipes, would suggest a fat free or light butter variety.*

Screaming Yellow Zonkers is my favorite popcorn besides movie popcorn with Milk Duds mixed in. It disappeared for several years and this past summer it made a return to the stores. My husband saw it and bought me several boxes for my birthday; it was one of the best presents ever! I have made this recipe and given it as gifts at Christmas and is always a crowd pleaser. It is not quite Screaming Yellow Zonkers, but it is close! The recipe is from Todd Wilbur.

½ cup light Karo Corn syrup

½ cup white sugar

¼ cup water

2 Tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon butter etract

½ cup uncooked popcorn

Directions:

In small saucepan, over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, syrup and water. Stir to a boil, add a candy thermometer and bring mixture to 250°F.

At this point start cooking your popcorn, so when the sugar mixture reaches hard crack or 300°F, they should both be done about the same time.

When your candy has reached the hard ball stage, add the vanilla and butter extracts.

Pour popcorn into a glass microwave bowl, work quickly, pour the candy over the popcorn in thin streams. Mix the popcorn so that each kernel is coated with candy, put the popcorn back into the microwave for five minutes, then stir once again. This will help to coat each kernel. You can repeat this step once more if necessary to get all of the popcorn coated. Pour popcorn onto a large sheet of wax paper to cool. Spread the popcorn out to cool. Be careful it will be very hot handle, it is best little hands do not help at this stage. Once cook break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

This next recipe is Bacon Peanut Caramel Corn, by Chef Zac Young. This is almost a perfect recipe. I need chocolate, so feel free to add in a ½ cup of Reece’s Pieces when mixture is cooling! Again here feel free to use microwave or air popped, popcorn.

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup popcorn kernels
• 1/4 Cup oil
• 1 3/4 Cup sugar
• 3/4 Cup corn syrup
• 2 Teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 Cup honey roasted peanuts
• 1 Pound of bacon- cooked extra crispy

Pop popcorn with oil in a large pot on the stove. The cover pot while cooking or risk eye injury. You know the popcorn is ready when the popping slows to 1 pop per 3 seconds.
Pour popcorn on to a cookie sheet lined with a silpat. Sprinkle salt, peanuts and crumbled bacon over the popcorn.
Heat the sugar, corn syrup and a ½ cup of water until light amber in color. Pour evenly over the corn. mix with a heat proof spatula to try and evenly coat the mixture. place in a 350 degree oven for 7 to 10 minutes until the caramel has melted. Work the mixture again with the spatula until every thing is evenly coated.
Let cool.
Okay so sweet popcorn is not for you…how about a seasoning to sprinkle on your popcorn? I found this one over at The Popcorn Board.

Blazing Buffalo Ranch Seasoning Mix for Popcorn

Yield: about 2 tablespoons seasoning mix

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon ranch dressing or dip mix (from a 1 ounce package)
• 1 tablespoon seafood spice mix (or celery salt)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (or sugar)
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 6 quarts popped popcorn
• Cooking spray, optional

Directions

1. In a small bowl, blend ranch dressing mix, spice mix, garlic powder, powdered sugar and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle with vegetable oil and blend until well incorporated.
2. Place popcorn in a serving bowl and spray lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle seasoning mix over popcorn to taste and toss. Store leftover seasoning mix in an airtight container for future use.