Cinnamon Popcorn

Sometimes you've got to get creative with your snacks. The right snack variation adds much needed novelty to average events like movie night at home. Popcorn is, of course, an essential, even fundamental snack. It's easy to make: Delicious, cheap, and equally craveable in sweet and savoury forms. This version leans in a sweet direction. With the warm woody flavour of ground cinnamon, it's reminiscent of a certain crunchy, toasty breakfast cereal. The sweetness is light, not as syrupy as more thickly coated caramel corn, so it still qualifies as a snack rather than candy. A bit of salt helps to balance the flavour.

½ cup popcorn kernels
2 Tbsp. ghee
2 Tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. kosher salt

Add 1 Tbsp. of ghee and 3 individual popcorn kernels to a large pot over medium-high heat. Put lid on pot.

When you hear the first kernel pop, remove lid from the pot, add all remaining popcorn, and replace lid.

Shake pot periodically until popping eventually comes to a stop. Remove from heat.

Transfer popcorn to a large bowl.

Add remaining 1 Tbsp. of ghee to pot and melt, using residual heat.

Add sugar, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl of a mortar and pestle. Grind to a consistency like find sand, something between granules and powder.

Pour melted ghee evenly over popcorn and quickly toss it around in bowl to coat.

Sprinkle fine cinnamon sugar onto popcorn and toss again. Adjust seasoning as you see fit.

Variation: If you don't have ghee, use a high-heat oil such as Canola. It won't have the same buttery flavour, but won't scorch like regular butter does.