National Popcorn Day! Jan 19th

For National Popcorn Day, we did several things (and several less than I wanted to :) ).  Before we go any further, let me just say I found a way to get the unpopped kernels out before doing delicious things to them: Take a bowl of popped popcorn. Place a cookie rack over it (perfect sized holes!)  and firmly grasp the bowl while you flip it upside down over the garbage can and shake a little.  The kernels fall through the holes and the popcorn stays in the bowl (provided you didn't let it fall out the side--oops!).  Flip it back and voilà!!

Here is the recipe I always wanted to try and did.  Mega Yummy!!

Jello Popcorn

(adapted from Kraftrecipes.com)

8 cups popped popcorn.

1 cup planters cocktail peanuts (I did not add this)

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)

3 Tbsp. light corn syrup

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar or granulated sugar (I used the latter)

1 small package (4 serving size) jello.  (I used strawberry)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Line 15X10X1 inch baking pan with foil or wax paper. (I used precut parchment on a cookie sheet.)  Toss popcorn and peanuts in large bowl (not plastic) and set aside.

Place butter and syrup in a small saucepan; cook on low heat until butter is melted.  Add sugar and gelatin.  Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved.  Bring to boil on medium heat.  Reduce to low and simmer 5 minutes.  Pour immediately over popcorn mixture and toss to coat well.  BE VERY CAREFUL AS THIS IS REALLY HOT.  Spread into prepared pan, using 2 forks to spread evenly.  

Bake 10 minutes.  Cool.  Remove from pan and break into small pieces.

Carolyn's Chicken and Rice Casserole

My husband's mom had some recipes in a family cookbook.  This one is one I've altered a bit, so I'll post my version and then this original.
 
1 can cream mushroom soup (or whatever cream soup on hand)
1 can celery soup (or whatever...)
1 cup raw rice
2 cups milk
1 tsp. parsley flakes (or Italian herbs, or whatever you've got)
1 tsp. or so garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 chicken cut up into pieces (or chicken breasts)
Top with 1 package dry onion  soup mix, or Italian dressing mix, or whatever herbs you've got on hand, or those little crunchy onions, cheese...you get the picture--just make it yummy on the top. =)

Mix in 13X9 or larger casserole dish: soups, rice, parsley, and milk, garlic, salt, pepper.  Put chicken on top of mixture and top with topping.  Cover with aluminum foil if it might burn, but otherwise, I don't.  Bake at 350 for 1 to 2 hours, until chicken is completely done.

Carolyn's:
1 can cream mushroom soup

1 can celery soup

1 1/4 cup raw rice
1 1/4 cups water

1 tsp. parsley flakes (or Italian herbs, or whatever you've got)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 chicken cut up into pieces
Top with 1 package dry onion  soup mix.th

Then put it together and bake like above.

Somehow, no matter what topping I've put on, my husband gets in at the last minute and adds something else.  Today it was cheese.  Should I be offended?  Well, whatever...it always tastes great.