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Food & Wine Recipe

Indian Popcorn

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 20 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 12
  • •FAST
  • •HEALTHY
  • •MAKE-AHEAD
  • •STAFF-FAVORITE
  • •VEGETARIAN

Inspired by the Indian snacks called chaat, this crispy, spicy, salty combination of popcorn and bits of fried serrano chiles and shallots is perfect with cocktails.

  1. 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  2. 4 medium shallots, very thinly sliced
  3. 2 serrano chiles, very thinly sliced
  4. 1 1/2 teaspoons mild curry powder
  5. 1 teaspoon nigella seeds (also sold as black onion seeds)
  6. 3/4 cup popcorn kernels
  7. Kosher salt
  1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil. Add the shallots and chiles and fry over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are golden, about 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the fried shallots and chiles to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  2. In the same pot, cook the curry powder and nigella seeds over moderate heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the popcorn kernels and cover. Cook, shaking the pan every 30 seconds, until the kernels have stopped popping, about 8 minutes. Season the popcorn with salt and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle the popcorn with the shallots and chiles and serve.