Our local grocery store was kicking them out this morning, and the explosions certainly drew my attention.
I had read about them previously in the Toronto Star, but London, being the backwater town it is, only recently got a machine in house. The entertainment value is worth the cost itself, but these little treats are actually pretty tasty on their own, let alone slathered in honey, Nutella, fruit, yogurt, or even Speculoos Spread!
If you're as unfamiliar with Korean Rice Poppers, aka Broghies, "poppas" or the like, they are essentially fresh made rice cakes. The ones being made this morning were simply corn masala, salt, heat and a lot of air pressure, but taste fabulous. They have a nice airy crunch and can serve as a perfect base for almost anything - sweet or savoury.
On their own, they are a very low calorie snack, being about 20 calories each, with no fat.
Although I'm Korean by ancestry, I had no knowledge of these things. The history, so it goes, is that Korean street vendors would sell them, making them out of rice, heat and wicked air pressure. They've been fairly big in Korea since the 1980's and have been spreading across North America over the last several years.
Have you tried these things before?
Do you like them on their own?
What is your favorite topping?
Let me know if you've seen one of these machines in the wild!
Here's some live action. (great explosion at :30s)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyDUEZUk80&feature=player_embedded#!
