Kids Can Make: Pizza Popcorn

1. 1

   Special equipment: a spice grinder

2. 2

   Position an oven rack in the bottom of the oven, and preheat it to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment, and generously coat with cooking spray.

3. 3

   Spread the tomato paste out into a thin layer on the parchment (an offset metal spatula works best).

4. 4

   Bake until the paste deepens to brick red and is dull in color and not shiny in any spots, about 2 hours.

5. 5

   (It will look and feel like fruit leather.)

6. 6

   Let it cool.

7. 7

   Tear the paste into small pieces, and finely grind them in batches in the spice grinder.

8. 8

   Add all the ground tomato paste back into the spice grinder, along with the Parmesan, oregano, garlic salt and pepper flakes, and grind to a fine powder.

9. 9

   Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

10. 10

    The spice blend makes enough for about 6 batches of popcorn.

11. 11

    To make 1 batch of pizza popcorn: Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.

12. 12

    Add 1/2 cup kernels; when one pops, cover the pot, and cook, shaking the pot constantly, until the popping subsides to 1 pop every 20 seconds.

13. 13

    Add some melted butter and 2 heaping tablespoons of pizza spice, toss to coat.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.