Cooperative Living October 2016 - 37

America Loves Popcorn
Today, nearly one and a quarter century later,
CALLING ALL
popcorn is seldom, if ever, found on a breakfast menu.
It has become America's favorite snack food. The
mere sound and aroma of corn transforming from seed
to a delicious treat stir happy feelings.
SUPER SLEUTHS:
A unique confection of popcorn, molasses
By the bowl, bag or bucket,
Americans consume more than
13 billion quarts of this tasty grain per year. It pops-up at family game-nights, sporting
events, fairs, carnivals and, most definitely, at movie theaters. Popcorn fits in perfectly
with the feel-good, fun moments of life.
Celebrate
There are more ways to honor this tiny kernel's popularity than October has days.
When looking for clever (not corny) ideas for featuring popcorn at an autumn party, try
this site - www.kidactivities.net/post/Popcorn-Theme.aspx. Other web searches will
yield loads of suggestions for using the puffy treat in arts and crafts, games and
science/math/nature ventures.
Of course, the most satisfying way to honor this popular seed is to pop it and eat it!
And while the microwave method is quick and convenient, popcorn can be much more
than a pre-seasoned bag of munchies.
There are countless recipes to investigate and test. Imagine tasting bacon popcorn or
Cajun-spiced popcorn or s'mores popcorn!!!
If these creations sound too wild or unsavory for your taste buds, consider trying a
more mellow, time-tested recipe that's been a crowd pleaser since the late 19th century
... Popcorn Balls.
The following recipe might convince you and your family to make this sweet, sticky
confection as an annual tribute to this stone-age snack!
Happy National Popcorn Poppin' Month ... Celebrate, enjoy and share the fun!
Popcorn Ball Recipe (traditional)
7 quarts popped corn
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
¼ cup water
¼ teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A candy thermometer
* Place popcorn in large pan and keep warm in 200-degree oven.
* In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, water and salt; cook over medium heat
until candy thermometer reads 235 degrees.
* Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla; stir until butter is melted. Immediately
pour over popcorn and stir until evenly coated.
* When mixture is cool enough to handle, quickly and gently shape into 3-inch balls,
dipping hands in cold water to prevent sticking. Yield 20 balls. n
www.co-opliving.com
and peanuts was introduced at Chicago's
First World Fair in 1893. It was
an immediate, tasty success
although a little too sticky to
handle.
Shortly
thereafter, a
secret
formula was created to
correct that problem and is
still used in processing
this treat today.
This popular snack became immortalized
in the third line of a familiar song from
1908, " Take Me Out to the Ball Game. "
For a chance to win $25, do the following:
* Name the snack and give the page
number where it is hidden.
* Give the names of the child and his dog
shown on the package.
* Besides the good taste, what else made
this snack extra appealing to children?
Enter online at www.co-opliving.com or
send answers with your name, address and
phone number to:
Cooperative Living Super Sleuth
P.O. Box 2340
Glen Allen, VA 23058-2340.
August Issue
Super Sleuth
As our young readers headed back to school,
the August KIDS' KORNER Super Sleuth
challenged young readers to exercise the
greatest asset they'll take back to the classroom,
their personal creativity. For a chance to win $25,
entrants were asked to find two images in the
magazine that demonstrate ways to take action
for creative success, then explain what the
images mean. The correct answers on page 5
were to " put on your thinking cap, " to use your
mind more creatively, and " think outside the
box, " to come up with
ideas outside your
normal train of
thought. Jordan Carter
was our $25 winner.
Congratulations,
Jordan! n
October 2016 | Cooperative Living | 35

http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Popcorn-Theme.aspx http://www.co-opliving.com http://www.co-opliving.com

Cooperative Living October 2016

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