Spicy Buffalo Popcorn

Fall is here and football season is in full swing.  Today we revisit one of our favorite recipe books, "Popcorn" by Patick Evans-Hylton for inspiration for a fall football-viewing party or tailgate snack.  Buffalo wings are a typical football food.  The Panther prefers not to be typical however.  The recipe for Spicy Buffalo Popcorn caught our eye and after reading the historical preface, we knew this was the snack to feature today.

"October 3, 1964, should be honored with a national holiday.  It was then that Frank and Teressa Bellisimo, owners of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, enterprisingly fried up some chicken wings and tossed them in a bath of melted butter and hot sauce.  The rest is history."
-From "Popcorn" by Patrick Evans-Hylton

The following recipe cpatures the flavor and spirit of the invention from over four decades ago.  This flavorful snack is perfect for your next tailgate party, bringing to the game, or nibbling any time.

Spicy Buffalo Popcorn

4 quarts freshly popped corn
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup vinegar-based hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder

- Preheat the oven to 300.  Line a baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking sheet and set aside.
- Put the popcorn in a large, clean paper bag or a washable muslin bag.  In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the butter, hot sauce, pepper, salt, sugar, and chili powder.  Drizzle the mixture over the popcorn, fold over the top of the bag, and shake until the popcorn is coated and moist.
- Spread the popcorn evenly over the baing sheet and bake until the popcorn is dry, 5 to 7 minutes.

Serve this tasty snack with celery sticks and bleu cheese dressing.

Enjoy... and "Go Team!"

-The Panther