Salty Dog Popcorn

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons powdered ground ginger
15 cups (5 ounces) already-popped popcorn
3 1/2 cups (6 ounces) chow mein noodles
2 cups short pretzels

Heat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Place the butter in a 2-cup microwave-safe container and cover it with a paper towel. Microwave 2 minutes, on HIGH, or until melted.

Remove the butter from the microwave and stir in the soy sauce, garlic powder and ginger.

Place the popped corn, chow mein noodles and pretzels in a large UNSCENTED trash bag. Pour the butter mixture over the popcorn mixture, and shake well to coat the mixture with butter. Pour the popcorn mixture into a large 15 x 10-inch roasting pan, or use two smaller pans. Bake the mixture, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Store in airtight containers, gift tins or zip-type plastic bags at room temperature for up to 1 month.

Makes about twenty 1/2 cups.

Approximate values per 1/2 cup serving: 81 calories (63 percent from fat), 6 g fat (2.5 g saturated), 9 mg cholesterol, 1 g protein, 6.6 g carbohydrates, 0.7 g dietary fiber, 139 mg sodium