Bar Bites
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[Photograph: Marvin Gapultos]

About the author: Marvin Gapultos is the author of the Filipino food blog, Burnt Lumpia. His first cookbook is due out in 2013. When he isn't cooking or writing about Filipino food, Marvin is usually enjoying a beer or cocktail, and thinking about what to eat with said beer or cocktail. You can follow him on Twitter @BurntLumpia.

Every recipe we publish is tested, tasted, and Serious Eats-approved by our staff. Never miss a recipe again by following @SeriousRecipes on Twitter!

About This Recipe

Yield: Serves 4 to 6 as a snack
Active time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 mintes
Special equipment: Deep pot, large brown paper bag

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons dark rum
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Procedures

  1. Combine the cranberries and rum in a small bowl and set aside to soak for 1 hour.

  2. Heat the oil in a large deep pot over medium high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Place 4 to 5 popcorn kernels into the pot and cover the pot. As soon as you hear the kernels pop, place the rest of the kernels into the pot, cover, and gently shake the pot back and forth over the burner. The kernels will begin popping all at once.

  3. Continue to gently move the pot back and forth over the burner until the popping subsides, 2 to 3 minutes longer. When you can no longer hear any kernels popping, remove the pot from the heat. Transfer the popcorn from the pot and into a large brown paper bag and set aside.

  4. Wipe the pot out with a paper towel to remove any unpopped kernels. Return the pot to low heat, then add the butter. Stir until the butter is completely melted. Once the butter melts, add the cranberries and rum to the pot and stir to combine. Continue to cook over low heat for 1 minute longer.

  5. Pour the cranberry mixture into the paper bag with the popcorn. Sprinkle in the salt and sugar, crimp the bag closed, and shake vigorously until the popcorn is uniformly coated with the butter and seasonings. Transfer the contents of the bag to a large bowl and serve immediately.