Marcus Wareing's Milk Chocolate and Peanut Popcorn

Hubby and I were recently given a bag of sweet popcorn, but neither of us are really big popcorn eaters so the bag just stayed in the cupboard taking up space.  At this time of year cupboard space is at a premium, something needed to be done with that bag which seemed to be growing in size every time I looked at it.  There was only one book to turn to, Marcus Wareing's Nutmeg and Custard that has a whole chapter devoted just to flavouring popcorn!

Milk Chocolate and Peanut Popcorn
1 x 85g packet plain microwave popcorn
2 tbsp peanut butter
6 tbsp water
50g peanuts, toasted and roughly chopped
100g milk chocolate, broken into chunks

Cook the popcorn according to the manufacturer's instructions, then sort through to remove any kernels.

Heat the peanut butter and water in a small saucepan and whisk until a smooth paste is formed, then add the chopped nuts.

Using your hands, mix the popcorn and the peanut paste together.

Melt the chocolate in a large bowl placed over a saucepan of gently simmering water.  Add the melted chocolate to the popcorn and mix well.

Take a small handful of popcorn and form a cluster, squeezing it so that it clumps together, then place it on a tray lined with a sheet of baking paper.  Repeat with the remaining mixture until you have eight clusters, then put them in the fridge for 10-20 mins to set.

Makes 8
Marcus Wareing's Nutmeg and Custard

I think because I used ready made popcorn it was a bit 'softer' than the freshly popped variety and as a result they wouldn't clump for me.  Instead I set them in one big clump on a tray and then Hubby and I pigged out while watching Masterchef Australia ... the healthy eating plan is NOT going well!  Very tasty though, and pretty simple too, these would make a great Christmas gift if you could bare to give them away!