serves
4
prep
5 minutes
cook
2 minutes
difficulty
Easy
serves
4
people
preparation
5
minutes
cooking
2
minutes
difficulty
Easy
level
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp canola or vegetable oil
- 110 g (½ cup) popcorn kernels
Mexican hot chocolate mix
- 1½ tbsp cocoa powder
- 1½ tbsp icing sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp chilli powder
Makes 10 cups
Instructions
To make the Mexican hot chocolate mix, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to remove any lumps.
Heat the oil in a 3 or 4-litre saucepan with a tight-fitting lid over medium-high heat until just before it smokes. Add a popcorn kernel to the oil to test if it is hot enough; if it spins, then the oil is ready (see Note).
Add all the popcorn kernels, swirl to cover the kernels with the oil, cover with the lid and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, for 1 minute 45 seconds or until the popping sounds have stopped.
Tip the popcorn in a large wide bowl and immediately toss with half of the hot chocolate mix until all the popcorn is well coated, then add the remaining mix and toss again until well coated.
Note
• The oil shouldn’t be smoking; if it is, remove from the heat until it stops smoking, then return to the heat.
Photography by Amanda McLauchlan, styling by Aimee Jones.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
