Living in Great Britain it is hard to escape catching Queen’s Diamond Jubilee fever. Turn on the telly, flick on the radio, open a magazine or even glance at a newspaper, it’s all crowns, corgis and Queen. Resistance is futile. Celebrating 60 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II is pulling out all the stops: a 1000 boat flotilla down the Thames, a Brit-tastic Diamond Jubilee Concert,  the releasing of thousands of beacons, the holding of thousands of street parties, and many more events, big and small, over the four day super-weekend. Even in Scotland, not quite a hotbed of royalism, there is a soupçon of Union Jack bunting, and displays of patriotic biscuit tins and tea caddies in the more English of shops (ie, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s). Yep, we’re going all out North of the Border.

But even if the Scots haven’t quite got into the spirit of it all – I may be generalising here – I do think most of us will try and catch some of the coverage on the telly. It promises to be spectacular, monarchist or not.  I may even have to watch the Apprentice final on repeat, such has been the effect of the pre-Jubilee media saturation on the decision-making part of my brain. And I’m starting to get a bit excited. Are you? 

We plan on celebrating the Queen’s Big Event by eating, watching the wall-to-wall BBC coverage and acquiring more hens. A bit atypical that  last one, but the first two require no explanation. And we plan on combining the telly watching with the eating. In amongst the crustless cucumber sandwiches (yes, really; we are going trad here), coronation tofu (not really; we aren’t that sad) we shall be fighting over these two white chocolate popcorn treats.

These aren’t really recipes as such, more suggestions, so do as you see fit – no pretzels, dried fruit, mint extract, whatever you like. And we will also be having some fabby dark chocolate strawberries dusted with something special. But you’ll have to look here tomorrow to see with what…

Are you planning anything special over the Jubilee long weekend? Any of you ‘Commonwealthers’ celebrating in style? For all of you non-Brits, what are your favourite nibbles to scoff on special days? 

By the way, here’s the Queen’s official Diamond Jubilee website if you want links to all the events. And a jolly nice website it is too, Ma’am.

White Chocolate Popcorn –with Roses and Strawberries

Last Year: Kitchen-sink Minestrone and Spring Green Pesto Focaccia

Miss R’s Track of the Week: Gary Barlow’s (and a bunch of talented Commonwealth children and musicians) Official Jubilee Song – “Sing”. Fantastic video. Really fantastic. I defy you not to smile.

These may be the easiest and tastiest treats you make all summer. Perfect for nibbling during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Rose Water and White Chocolate Popcorn 

50g popcorn kernels (I like either white or blue kernelled corn from Zaramama)

1 tbsp high-temperature cooking oil, like rapeseed OR coconut oil

100g best quality white chocolate, chopped into small, even pieces (use up to double this amount for more coverage – and calories!)

5* small drops rose water (I like Star Kay White)

2-3 fat drops of natural red food paste (I use Williams Sonoma) – optional

25g pretzels, broken

a bit of salt (optional)

Heat the popcorn over a medium flame until most kernels have bloomed. Decant onto a tray to cool; mix in the broken pretzels. Get on with the chocolate while the popcorn cools. 

Pop the chopped white chocolate, drops of rose water and the food colouring (if using) into either a glass bowl or the top part of a double boiler. Set either over just boiled water. Because white chocolate is quite a fickle thing I try to resist the temptation to actually simmer the water as this kind of  chocolate does have a tendency to ‘seize up.’ If it does seize, just whisk in a tablespoon of oil or butter and it should smooth out. Melted white chocolate is not silky smooth like melted plain chocolate, remaining a bit stiff and not as biddable. If you haven’t worked with white chocolate before do have a look here for an excellent how-to guide.

Anyhoo, let the chocolate soften over the residual heat before mixing with a spoon or spatula. It is important to add the rose water and the dye before melting, as melted white chocolate is not on speaking terms with liquid. It is, however, quite happy to share a pan as it melts. Told you it was fickle! Now pour this over the cooled popcorn as evenly as you can. Carefully toss the popcorn and chocolate together and sprinkle over a little salt if you like. Portion the white chocolate popcorn while warm, or pop it all into a big bowl for immediate devouring. Lovely with a glass of Prosecco!  * number of drops dependent on how strong the rose water is; you don’t want it to taste like you’ve dropped it all in a rose bed, just a background fragrance.

Strawberry White Chocolate Popcorn

50g popcorn kernels

1 tbsp high-temperature cooking oil, like rapeseed OR coconut oil

100g white chocolate, chopped into small, even pieces

½ tsp oil or butter

Freeze-dried strawberry pieces – I got mine at Waitrose, but you can also get them here in the UK (great for adding to cereals) and here in the US

Carry on as the above recipe, adding the oil or butter with the melting chocolate. Mix all together with as much of the freeze-dried strawberry pieces as you like. I don’t put salt in this recipe but you may like to. I am investigating boosting the fruitiness of this special treat by making my own strawberry extract. Watch this space!