Prologue: What is going on with all the rom-com and cheesie holiday movies this year? I bet you could watch at least three new releases every day in December. Today, though, I present a new classic. If you haven’t seen Klaus, you must this season.
I love a good family movie night. These film festivals usually fall during the holidays for us. I love the feeling of settling down when all the family is together to watch a feel-good holiday movie. One of the reasons I chose Klaus is that I was introduced to it by my oldest nephew. 
Klaus is the December Movies & Munchies feature film. (You can view the announcement post here.) I fully acknowledge that Klaus is not a foodie movie, but ’tis the season so deal with it. 🎅 (Said with much holiday spirit!)
Here’s the food I spotted:
- Cucumber slices (on eyes)
- espresso, cappuccino
- salad (or soup) with no croutons
- donuts
- caviar and sherry
This food is seen or mentioned before Jesper’s world is rocked and he’s exiled to Smeerensburg.
- carrots (stabbing a snowman)
- fish (Holy Mackerel) Only herring today
- chickens and eggs
- beer
- reindeer treats
- berry jam and berry pie and berry cake
- apple
- brunches
- breakfast in bed (mentioned)
- milk and cookies (for Klaus)
I almost just reposted some berry jam here as that was a symbolic start to the peace talks in Smeerensburg.
Since I started this post by picturing those warm family viewings…by the fire…with hot drinks…cuddled under family-made afghans and quilts, I needed to do a somewhat traditional movie watching food. I had already done a popcorn post for another Movies & Munchies film so I needed to amp it up a bit.
We recently visited our favorite before dinner cocktail place and tried their appetizer of Bacon-Maple Popcorn. I decided to try my hand at this recipe.
Bacon-Maple Movie Popcorn
A salty-sweet-savory treat for holiday movie viewing.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces thinly sliced bacon, chopped
- canola oil
- 1/4 c. popcorn kernels
- 4 t. butter
- 1 T. pure maple syrup
- sea salt
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. If needed, further crumble the bacon. Pour the fat from the skillet into a liquid measuring cup. Add vegetable oil as needed to make 2 T. fat; if there is more than that, pour off the extra. Set the skillet aside.
- Pour the bacon fat into a large sauce pan (with a lid) over medium heat. Add a few popcorn kernels; when they pop, add the remaining kernels. Cover with a lid and shake the pot a bit to coat the kernels in the fat. Shake frequently, until the popping has almost stopped (a pop every second or two), about 5 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and keep covered.
- In the skillet used for the bacon, place the butter and maple syrup over medium-low heat, stirring to loosen any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the crumbled bacon and then pour the mixture over the popcorn; toss well to coat all of the kernels. Season with salt and toss again. Serve immediately.
Yield: 2-4
Prep Time: 15 mins.
Total time: 25 mins.
This recipe can easily be doubled. I actually cut the original recipe by two-thirds.
I truly hope everyone is having a marvelous and merry holiday season!
You still have time to join the Merry Movies & Munchies crew. Watch Klaus and whip up a holiday treat.
What a decadently version of popcorn to enjoy with a holiday movie. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas.