Spiced Butter Popcorn

Start to finish: 10 minutes

Makes 6 cups

Ingredients: 

6 to 7 cups popped popcorn (see note)

3 tablespoons salted butter

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon ground fennel seeds

1 teaspoon white sugar

¼ to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Kosher salt

Method:

Place the popcorn in a large bowl. In a small saucepan over medium-high, heat the butter until almost fully melted. Add the cumin, curry powder, fennel, sugar and cayenne, then cook, swirling, until aromatic and the butter is foamy, 30 to 45 seconds. Immediately pour over the popcorn, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and toss. Taste and season with additional salt.

For Spicy-Sweet Popcorn

Place 6 to 7 cups popcorn in a large bowl. In a small saucepan over medium-high, heat 3 tablespoons butter until almost fully melted. Add 2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, then cook, swirling, until aromatic and the butter is foamy, 30 to 45 seconds. Immediately pour over the popcorn, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and toss. Taste and season with additional salt.