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Home Movie Mania

Thanks to your VCR and a few rented movies, you can have as much enjoyment, and spend a lot less money, by having your own movie nights at home. Unlike going to the theater, watching movies in your own home gives you the freedom to hit the pause button to grab more food or take a quick break. Best of all, creating your own home movie theater is a great way to spend quality time with your family.

To make movie night special, be sure that everyone has equal input into the movie selection. Collect movie choices, jot them down on slips of paper, and draw one or two out of a hat. Other creative ideas you can do as "movie director" to build excitement include:

  • Stage theme nights with all westerns, comedies, or musicals
  • Post the "coming attractions" along with the time and date of the show on the refrigerator
  • Let your kids make "tickets" to the show
  • Gather home movie essentials like blankets, pillows, drinks, and, of course, popcorn

    Which brings us to another benefit of home movie night...you make the popcorn. Unlike movie theater popcorn that is usually loaded with fats and oils, it's easy to control exactly what is in your popcorn with the Presto® PowerPop® microwave multi-popper because it pops with or without oil. And with microwave convenience, you can quickly and easily make enough for your entire family... up to 3 quarts in as little as 2-1/2 minutes. Or use the Presto® PopLite® gourmet/regular hot air popper. It pops extra-large puffs from either premium or regular popcorn, with hardly any unpopped kernels. And it pops with hot air, not oil, so extra calories aren't added to popcorn.

    You can even spice things up by adding seasonings like Italian herbs or garlic salt directly to the unpopped kernels before popping. Or try mixing freshly popped corn with nuts and raisins. And, with just a few simple ingredients, you can transform your popcorn into a hearty, robust snack like "Sassy South of the Border" popcorn or "Cheesy Popcorn Italiano."

    The PowerPop microwave popper works in practically any microwave oven, even most compact models, and pops virtually every kernel. It's easy to clean too. The base simply wipes clean and everything else is dishwasher safe.

    Sassy South of the Border Popcorn

    • 3 quarts warm popped popcorn
    • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
    • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

    Drizzle butter over warm popcorn. Combine garlic salt, chili powder, cumin, and red pepper; sprinkle over popcorn, tossing well.
    Makes about 8 cups.

    Spiced Snack Mix

    • 3 quarts warm popped popcorn
    • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
    • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1/2 cup candy coated chocolate pieces
    • 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts or cashews

    Combine powdered sugar, cinnamon, and ginger; sprinkle over warm popcorn, tossing well. Add candy and nuts; toss again.
    Makes about 9 cups.

    Cheesy Popcorn Italiano

    • 2 tablespoons garlic flavored olive oil
    • 3 quarts warm popped popcorn
    • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
    • 1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
    • 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

    Pop popcorn using garlic flavored olive oil. Drizzle butter over warm popcorn. Combine cheese, basil, hot pepper flakes, and salt; sprinkle over popcorn, tossing well.
    Makes about 8 cups.