Celebrate MLK Day with a Spinoff of Dr. King’s Favorite Treat

MLK loved pecan pie. Today is also Popcorn Day. Let's mash it up.
Casey Nilsson,

Some of you might celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Providence Children’s Museum with educational MLK-inspired stories and activities.

Others might see the excellent film Selma on streaming.

 

 

 

Personally, I was inspired to make something salty and sweet in honor of the American hero.

His birthday was January 15, but we customarily celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and civic contributions on the third Monday in January. I’m hoping to attend most of RISD’s fantastic MLK Series (more info here), but I also wanted to make something celebratory that Dr. King could’ve enjoyed on his birthday. Historians say pecan pie was his favorite dessert; I thought that was a good place to start.

Then, I learned today, January 19, is also National Popcorn Day. I smelled a mash-up.

I scoured the web for a sweet popcorn recipe with toasted pecans, and borrowed from a few sites to create my own tasty concoction. Here’s what I came up with:

MLK Popcorn

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup un-popped popcorn kernels
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • pecan halves
  • salt

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.

Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss a couple of kernels in the oil. When they pop, add the rest of the kernels and cover, setting the lid a bit cockeyed so some steam can escape.

Shake the pot often. When the popping starts to slow, remove the pot from the heat and set aside.

Step 3: Heat the maple syrup and brown sugar in a skillet over medium heat. After two to three minutes, add the butter. When the mixture bubbles and the butter is melted, remove from the heat.

Step 4: Place the popcorn in a baking pan lined with parchment paper (I used a disposable roasting pan). Drizzle the maple butter mixture over the popcorn, add your desired amount of pecan halves and toss to coat.

Step 5: Bake in the pre-heated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 6: Add salt to taste.

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