Special Occasions

New from #1 Bestselling author Lori Jane Stewart!

Popcorn has probably been around longer than any other snack food on the planet. It has a rich history, dating back to before civilization and taking part in a multitude of events we celebrate every year. It's the most popular snack food around the world, and the second most popular snack in America (falling just behind potato chips). Popcorn can be found all over the country, at movie theaters, carnivals, and most people's kitchens or pantries.

It is a common misconception that popcorn is an unhealthy snack. The reason some people avoid popcorn is because they don't understand the real culprit! Behind its supposedly unhealthy status, are the seasonings and additives, often added to commercially packaged products to liven up the bland natural flavor and to lengthen it's shelf life. The popcorn itself is a wholegrain, and these can help prevent cancer and lower the risk of heart disease, while also supplying healthy nutrients that support our vision.

There are many different methods to create popcorn, but the basic principle stays the same. All you have to do is make the kernels hot enough to heat the moisture contained naturally inside, and turn that into steam. The steam creates pressure from inside the hard shell casing and before you know it, POP! - the kernel is turned inside out and is ready to be consumed. As long as you can generate heat and have some kernels on hand, you can make popcorn!

Enough of the history, what about the recipes? I've gathered 30 of the finest popcorn recipes from around the world for your snacking pleasure, and have tried to keep them free from artificial sweeteners, preservatives or other nasty additives wherever possible. I've specified 9 cups of popped corn for most recipes, as that gives 3 generous cups per serving - you can have as many or as few servings as you fancy, but keep an eye on the calories! For your convenience, I've also included nutritional data from the USDA for each recipe (that's the U.S. Department of Agriculture and not the United Square Dancers of America!)

My preference for both flavor and health reasons, is freshly air-popped popcorn - so I have used that kind for all of these recipes. Everything in this book can be made with kernels you have freshly popped, or if you are in a hurry (or feeling lazy!), then you can always use the plain store bought pre-popped variety - just make sure you check the packaging for artificial nasties!

Most of the ingredients for these recipes can be found at your local grocery store or deli, but if you get stuck, then the slightly more unusual ones can also be bought online via a link at the end of the book.

Enjoy preparing and sharing!

Lori

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Easy Vegetarian Recipes gives you full step-by-step instructions for crafting Vegetarian dishes that even die-hard meat eaters will love. Learn how to make Effortless Chili, Scrumptious Caponata, and Spicy Pumkin Samosas! All projects, are written by veggie experts, and contain pictures for each step so you can easily make it yourself, even if it’s your first time in the kitchen. Let's get cooking!

There are few treats more satisfying than a frozen popsicle on a sunny day. But why eat the boring same-old pops from the grocery store? They tend to be filled with sugar, corn syrup, and chemicals.
Making your own ice pops is quick and easy and it opens the doors to a world of great flavors. When making pops yourself, you can be sure to only include healthy ingredients or adjust recipes to include your kids’ favorite foods or to eliminate an ingredient your kids just won’t eat.
Although they are a dessert item, by creating pops make from fresh fruits, fruit juices, yogurts and natural sweeteners like honey, you can indulge in delicious treats that are still very healthy!
Ice Pops can be decadent and heavy, but many of the recipes included here are light and healthy. Starting with juices or teas, many of these delicious pops are low calorie and low fat or even no fat! (Don’t worry, we’ve included plenty of naughty Pops as well.)
This book is full of recipes and ideas for delicious, gourmet ice pops, divided into 3 sections -- kids favorites, gourmet flavors, and adults only (recipes with alcoholic ingredients). Skim through the Table of Contents and you’re sure to find your new favorite!
Gourmet Ice Pops includes more than 50 delicious recipes with tips and notes to help you create your own variations! Includes color photos and illustrations to make the book more entertaining plus a hyperlinked table of contents for ease of use.

This collection of recipes focuses on the hairier side of the culinary world and explores eats that send a chill up your spine. Inspired by the eating habits of werewolves, you will find a variety of chewy meats and fun-to-decorate treats, along with worms, bones and furry fingers. Most of these recipes have simple ingredients and follow common cooking procedures but with a few creative tweaks in the spooky direction, are transformed into a frightful collection of dishes sure to unleash the beast in you.

Easy Appetizer Recipes gives you full step-by-step instructions for 15 easy and impressive appetizers you can make for your next party. Impress them with fresh bruschetta, easy crab cakes, or even jalapeno poppers! All projects come from Instructables.com, are written by party-food experts, and contain pictures for each step so you can easily make sure your next party is a success. Party on!

This #1 Best Seller is the newest from Love of Cooking: Volume I by Best Selling Author Maggie Brooks. LoC: Appetizers shot to the top of Kindle sales the very 1st day it was released.

“Excellent recipes for chefs & newbie cooks, as well…” Steve M


“The recipes are well-written and easy-to-follow. This is truly a must-have for your kitchen recipe collection.” Kristie

“Well this little gem delivers - no more boring cheese balls.” Kat


Love of Cooking: Appetizers is a collection of starters for any party. With sections like Dips, Dips & More Dips, Cheesy Apps, Appetizers Ole, Cooking for a Crowd & Appetizers to Serve as a First Course at a Seated Dinner Party. This book gives you a different set of appetizers to serve or to take to a party. It will be really nice to have new treats to serve.

This book is packed full with recipes for all occasions! C. Vencato


This cookbook is a MUST read for appetizer lovers, Eddy Kong W W "EK"

A very nice collection of recipes that will keep guests at any kind of party happily nibbling and dipping all day and night. B. Haywood

Ready for a Party—Scroll back up and BUY this book right now!

If you’ve always wanted to plan and prepare the ultimate event then Party ideas is the starting point you need. From casual cocktails with friends, to formal dining with your boss, this book provides the top tips to stress free party preparation to ensure that the big event goes swimmingly. With advice on the best location, games to get people going, music to get them to their feet and an atmosphere that sticks around until the early morning Party ideas has got it covered.

Party planner and hostess Heather Joy presents a dynamic book about entertaining the girl friends at home. What is more fun, and more work, than that? Heather helps you out by supplying menu ideas and recipes for various types of evenings at home. From card parties to pool parties, it is very helpful to have a menu right in front of you with the recipes to go with it. It is so much easier than spending hours trying to figure out what to serve to impress “the girls.” Author of “From the Home Front” series has done a great job helping anyone who has to plan and carry out a fun “Girls’ Night In.”

The cuisine of India is as diverse as the country is itself and there is a wide range of interesting dishes reflecting its regions.

Snacks have long formed a part of the food culture of India, many of these sold by vendors operating carts on the streets. You will find some of the most interesting food to be eaten on the streets of India both in its cities or in the country regions.

The object of this publication is to give readers an insight into the snack and street food of India and show you how you can prepare some of these dishes yourself.

These recipes can be enjoyed either as a snack at any time of the day or perhaps serve them in the place of canapes at a drinks party.

You can enjoy the elghts of samosa's and paratha's, treat yourself to an Indian omelette or perhaps prepare a most wonder variation on cheese on toast. Enjoy delicious nibbles made from chickpeas and green peas.

If you are vegetarian there are recipes that are appropriate and if you are non vegetarian there are recipes including both meat and fish as well as eggs.

The recipes can be prepared without any special equipment and most of the ingredients should be fairly readily available.

So read this book and tantalise your tastebuds.