I got this idea from my new favorite podcast The Splendid Table. Someone called in asking about what to pair with ales and IPAs for a tasting get-together and Lynne Rosetto Kasper (who looks, BTW, exactly as her voice sounds) suggested garlic popcorn. She said to make a garlic oil/butter sauce to toss with the popcorn, which sounds lovely, but I said to myself “What if I tried flavoring the cooking oil with garlic, so as to get a more subtle garlic-scented popcorn flavor?” And you know what? It turned out really nice (and not overpoweringly garlicky). It’s light and tasty and basically crack. You'll want to fill your house with it.
P.S. This would also be nice with a teaspoon or two of fresh minced rosemary tossed in at the end, or a grating of parmesan, or both! :)
Garlic-Scented Popcorn Recipe
3 Tbls canola oil
1/3 cup popping corn
1-2 heaping Tbls thinly sliced garlic
1-2 Tbls Unsalted butter (or Olive Oil)
Salt to taste
Heat oil to medium high in large saucepan.
Add garlic. Cook on medium until golden (not brown!). Remove garlic from pan and discard.
Add 4 kernels corn to oil and cover. Turn heat to medium-high. Wait until all kernels have popped, then add the rest and cover.
Let kernels pop, shaking pan occasionally, until a few seconds elapses between pops (this just takes a few minutes). Pour popped corn into a big bowl.
Melt butter in microwave-safe dish for 20-30 seconds. Pour over popcorn and toss. Sprinkle with salt to taste.