Popcorn is utterly delicious when popped at home; a world apart from the smelly, over-priced vats that are sold in the cinema.   I find it is best enjoyed super-fresh, still warm from the pan. If you do not slather it in fatty and sugary toppings, it is both a healthy and filling snack.   It always amazes me that although popcorn seems totally dry, there is enough water still within to turn to steam with enough pressure to cause it to pop.  I try to use a more expensive gourmet popcorn, after all a little goes a long way, and overall it is still a frugal snack (not to mention an excellent way to entertain small children on a rainy afternoon).
Delicious and morerish Speculoos spread is hard to describe, I only discovered it on my last trip to France. It is Lotus biscuit paste in a jar.  Spicy and caramalised (remarkably Lotus biscuits account for a massive 20% of biscuit consumption in their home county of Belgium). Perfect spread on toast, pancakes in cakes or sometimes it begs to be eaten straight from the jar with a spoon standing in front the still open cupboard. Remarkably it is one of those “accidentally” vegan products, free from diary and eggs. It is also a good peanut butter substitution for nut allergy sufferers.
Speculoos Popcorn
Ingredients
- Scant glug vegetable oil
- 2 oz (1/4 cup) popcorn
- 1 heaped tbs Speculoos Spread
- 1 heaped tbs non diary spread (or butter if you eat it)
- Good pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Place the oil and popcorn in a pan with a well fitting lid and put on a medium / high heat.  Swirl the pan every 20 seconds or so.   When the corn starts to pop turn the heat right down.
- Meanwhile, melt the Speculoos spread and butter together and stir well, adding sea salt to taste.
- When the corn is popped pour the Speculoos sauce over and mix well.
Jayne
This does indeed sound like heaven in a bowl! Yum!
Kelly
I’ve never tried popping my own popcorn before. On my to try list!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
My italian housemate always used to make popcorn (and wrecked one of our saucepans too in the process) but it’s something I never think to do at home. I know Ted would love it though and it occurs to me it would be ideal for his birthday parrty. Now to see if I can make my single jar of speculoos paste last until then!!
Jacqueline
That sounds like amazing stuff. I have always wondered about what makes popcorn pop, although obviously not enough to look it up, so thanks for clearing that up, hehe :D
Liz
You can also make popcorn in the microwave without having to use specially-branded microwave popcorn. Basically, you just need a paper bag, full details here: http://www.squawkfox.com/2010/07/27/popcorn-recipe-gourmet-popcorn. This looks like a great popcorn topping, and I love the idea of speculoos flavour on everything!
Domestic Goddesque
I am totally with you on the Speculoos campaign. I adore it.
bakingaddict
This looks delicious! I keep seeing Speculoos on blogs but have never tried it. Time for another trip to France I think :)
[email protected]
I do love popcorn and can just imagine this being so addictive. Then again, it’s low fat so I can eat bowls full and enjoy it!!
Jeanne @ CookSister!
OMG – Speculoos spread?! What fresh temptation is this?? Love making my own popcorn and this version sounds glorious.
A Trifle Rushed
We have popcorn every Saturday evening, my daughter’s weekend treat….and I have a jar of Specaloos in the cupboard… So this Saturday it will be even better!
Nic
I must try to get some of the spread, the popcorn looks pretty amazing Helen!
Caitlin
I love Speculoos, I can’t wait to try this! :)
Helen
Apparently there is now a crunchy one.
Adore speculoos, one of theose ace accidentily vegan foods!
Andrea Mynard
Very late in seeing this, only just discovered your website and never heard of the delicious sounding speculoos but it all sounds fab – I love popping corn and it always seems brilliant that it’s so exciting to my 5 yeard old yet frugal and healthy. Have to get my hands on some speculoos. Andrea
Denise
I wonder if I can get Speculoos online?
Helen
Waitrose now sell it! By the nutella and peanut butter. Its called Lotus Caramelised Spread.
kate
Found the spread in Waitrose this week – apparently they’ve been stocking it for a while now!
My god, I can only say that on the way I bought it I devoured half the jar in front of the cupboard, just spooning it out. Now I’m trying to save it! :)
Helen
Well you can always get more Kate. I used to bring it back from France and ration it!