| Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 320 | 6g | 3g | 67g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 37g | 2g | 3g | 0.10g |
As a proud Midwesterner, I find joy in turning simple, fresh ingredients into hearty, flavorful dishes. One recipe that always seems to charm my palate is the Crunchy White Mustard Seed Popcorn. The fusion of traditional popcorn with the boldness of white mustard seeds has a unique way of encapsulating the Midwest I know and love, right in a tasty, crunchy bite.
Comfort of Homeliness and a Little Extra
Now, you might think, popcorn is a universal delight, right? Of course, it is, but adding some mustard seeds to the mix elevates it from a simple snack food to a mouth-watering miracle. It’s similar to dishes like honey mustard glazed ribs or whole-grain mustard mashed potatoes which feature mustard as a bold accent flavor. They’re reminders of the hearty stews and corn casseroles from my rural Nebraskan roots, but with a moreish modern twist.
A Wholesome Treat with Health Benefits
A tasty crowd-pleaser, this Crunchy White Mustard Seed Popcorn is also packed full of health benefits. Mustard seeds, for instance, are a great source of selenium and magnesium. Both of these are fantastic for your heart health and inflammation. And far from just being a sweet delight, popcorn itself is a whole grain that is packed with fiber, aiding your digestion. Plus, it’s low in fat and calories which makes it a guilt-free snack!
From sharing with friends at our local Nebraskan church gatherings to spending a cozy fall evening around the fireplace with my future family, I know that this recipe will continue to be a favorite. It borrows from the spirit of traditional Midwest cooking, adds a bit of culinary audacity, and still remains a comforting, wholesome treat. And isn’t that what’s cooking truly about?
Cooking should not only be about nourishing our bodies, but also our souls. For me, Crunchy White Mustard Seed Popcorn does both. So go ahead and give it a try, and let the magic of the Midwest fill up your kitchen!
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons white mustard seeds
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Method
Step One
Start by gathering all your ingredients. This includes 1 cup of unpopped popcorn kernels, 1/2 cup of light corn syrup, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 3 tablespoons of white mustard seeds, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
Step Two
In a large pot with a lid, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add in the popcorn kernels. Cover the pot and shake it occasionally to ensure that the kernels are evenly heated. Continue to do this until you can hear less popping, indicating that most of the kernels have popped. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit until the popping completely stops.
Step Three
In another pot over medium heat, melt the butter. When the butter is melted, stir in the corn syrup, granulated sugar and salt. Bring this mixture to a simmer while stirring continuously. Once it’s simmering, let it cook without stirring for about 4 minutes, or until it turns into a thick syrup.
Step Four
Add the white mustard seeds into the syrup mixture. Continue to stir and let it cook for about a minute. After this, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step Five
Drizzle the syrup mixture over the popped popcorn, while tossing to make sure every piece is coated. Let it cool and harden for about 20 minutes before serving.
Step Six
Enjoy your homemade Crunchy White Mustard Seed Popcorn! You can store any leftover popcorn in an airtight container at room temperature.
