Scandal Season 3 Episode 12 – We do not touch the first ladies
“Wine is not beer and popcorn is most definitely not food.” ~Jake
Ok Jake, you’re right, wine is not beer, but popcorn IS most definitely food. Especially this one. Its like dinner and dessert rolled into one.
If your dinner is popcorn, and your dessert is, well, also popcorn.
Whatever.
The last wine and popcorn pairing I posted was so popular that I decided to make it a regular #TGIT thing! For the love of Scandal, and its thursday night counterparts (Grey’s Anatomy and How to get away with Murder), I’m going to consume generous quantities of wine and create popcorn recipes that compliment them. It’s a difficult job but somebody got to do it!
Now, we all know that Oliva goes for the reds (and typically so do I) but I wanted to include something for those with varying palates. You’ll see some whites and pinks in the mix, and to be fair to the Jake’s of the world, I throw in a few beers for fun. Each popcorn recipe will have easy to follow directions so you can make it with me.
#TGIT craving? It’s handled!
Popcorn Flavor – Apple Pie
Made with boiled apple cider for a robust apple flavor without being too sweet, and tossed with graham cracker pieces and chunks of dried apple. It gets baked for a few minutes and comes out all warm and crunchy. Perfect for #TGIT in the fall!
Wine Suggestion – Moscato
Moscatos are delicately sweet and low in alcohol, and while they pair well with a myriad of dishes, they are commonly served with fruit plates or dessert. Its lush palate of honey, pear and citrus compliment the apple pie popcorn without overpowering it.
Apple Pie Popcorn
Makes about 8 cups
Ingredients:
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup chopped graham crackers
1/2 cup diced dried apples
3 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp boiled apple cider
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1/4 tsp freshly ground sea salt (or table salt)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- To make the popcorn pour 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large pot (with a lid) and add a few un-popped corn kernels. place the lid on the pot and set over a medium high heat.
- When the first kernel pops, pour in the 1/2 cup of kernels and place the lid back on the pot.
- As they start to pop continuously, give the pot a gentle swirl/shake, to make sure the heat is well circulated. When the popping is reduced to 1-2 kernels per minute, remove from heat and set aside.
- In a small saucepan combine 3 tbsp of coconut oil, boiled cider and spices.
- Set over a low heat and stir until completely melted.
- Remove from heat and pour over popcorn. Add graham cracker pieces and gently stir until all the popcorn is covered.
- Pour popcorn into an even layer on prepared pan and bake for 6-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle with dried apple.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving.

- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup chopped graham crackers
- 1/2 cup diced dried apples
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 3 tbsp boiled apple cider
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground sea salt (or table salt)
- Preheat oven to 325 and line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- To make the popcorn pour 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large pot (with a lid) and add a few un-popped corn kernels. Place the lid on the pot and set over a medium high heat.
- When the first kernel pops, pour in the 1/2 cup of kernels and place the lid back on the pot.
- As they start to pop continuously, give the pot a gentle swirl/shake, to make sure the heat is well circulated. When the popping is reduced to 1-2 kernels per minute, remove from heat and set aside.
- In a small saucepan combine 3 tbsp of coconut oil, boiled cider and spices.
- Set over a low heat and stir until completely melted.
- Remove from heat and pour over popcorn. Add graham cracker pieces and gently stir until all the popcorn is covered.
- Pour popcorn into an even layer on prepared pan and bake for 6-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle with dried apple and allow to cool slightly before serving.
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