POP! POP! POP!

9.19.2014

confession: i jumped the gun on fall. a few weeks ago, we had one of those late summer days that actually wasn't anything like summer, but hinted of autumn instead? it way cool, dry, and there was that thing in the air. you know the one. anyway, i got all excited and made the first seasonal batch of caramel popcorn.

i don't really eat popcorn any other time of year and even in the fall, i don't make it much anyway because andy doesn't share my appreciation for caramel corn - mostly beacuse of the candied pot that soaks in water overnight - but he was out of town and what andy doesn't know won't hurt him. so i set august up on the kitchen floor with some wooden spoons and tupperware, while i got to work.

now, august has become accustomed to playing in the kitchen while i cook and usually doesn't pay much attention to what i'm doing, but this time when he hear the ping! of kernals bouncing in the pot, it captured his curiosity. he came over to my feet and reached up my leg, requesting maaaa!, which usually stands for "mas" (the spanish word for "more") but sometimes also means "can i?" so i lifted him up to watch the kernals burst into fluffy corn. there was a curious smirk on his face and his head jerked back in suprise every time a white puff flicked against the clear lid. we repeated pop! pop! pop! together until all the kernals had transformed and when he ate them, oh boy! they disappeared faster into his mouth than they burst into their puffed forms. then he requested maaaa! (used in the traditional sense) and ate handful after handful. so now that he is outnumber (our duck dog also loves caramel popcorn) andy will have to put up with a full, sticky sink because this fall we will be having maaa pop, pop, pop!

scroll through the delicious photos for the recipe for our favorite noshy fall treat.
those chipmunk cheeks! he hardly finished chewing before reaching for another.
this is a salty, sweet caramel popcorn. i really like the added crunch and flavor of the nuts, but if you have allergies or just aren't that into them, go ahead and leave them out. also, i highly recommend pairing this with a cold cider (i'll leave the alcohol content to your discretion) - it's like having a crunchy caramel apple!

SALTED CARAMEL CORN + ALMONDS 

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup unpopped kernals
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup almonds
lots of coarse sea salt

in a large pot with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. add the kernels, cover and keep the saucepan moving until all of the kernels have popped, about 5 minutes. transfer popcorn to a serving bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. toss with almonds, if using.

in a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and syrup. cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until the mixture has melted, 5 to 10 minutes. remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the baking-soda (the mixture will bubble up). immediately pour over the popcorn. working quickly before it hardens and using a spatula to toss, until the popcorn is well coated.sprinkle with sea salt and toss some more. let it sit to cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. dig in!

22 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm making this right now! Quick and sounds so yummy!

Claudin Mangum said...

What is autumn without Caramel Popcorn, i ask you?! We are pulling out the heavy duty pot and getting our own batch cookin' now. Thanks for the inspriation - YUM!

Amy S. said...

Ahh! Those chipmunk cheeks!

This reminds me of an older couple who is at both farmers markets here every week, and they make fresh kettle corn in a huge copper kettle the husband stirs with a giant wooden paddle! It is soo good!
My sister even got hooked on it when she visited once, and occasionally during market season I'll buy a bag and ship it express mail to her. Apparently it holds up pretty well!
But your recipe also sounds delicious. And if Auggie approves of it, it must be good :-)

Katherine said...

I am definitely a fan of popcorn! : )

lucinda said...

let me know what you think!

lucinda said...

right? i hope it was delicious!

lucinda said...

aw man, i wish we had gotten a chance to visit that farmer's market (we went to missoula that day), but it sounds awesome. kettle corn is so good and so fall. we buy a bag when we go to pumpkin patches, they're usually selling them there.

lucinda said...

then you must try this recipe out, i think you'll like it!

Petra said...

I love sweet popcorn and can't understand why some people eat it salty. can you? xo

Ursula said...

Popcorn is my weakness! I usually make it with nutritional yeast (so so tasty) . I'm totally going to make this recipe later this week. Can't wait to try it and fill my chipmunk cheeks too

lucinda said...

i mean, i get the savory thing. sometimes i just really want something salty to balance out the sweet, but that's why this treat is so perfect, because it offers both! i totally agree though, given the choice, i'll always take my popcorn sweet. ;)

Erin said...

I'm a popcorn fiend - though I look no where near as adorable eating it as your boy. I throw a few tablespoons of kernels into a brown paper lunch bag and stick it in the microwave. Then a sprinkle of olive oil, salt, and a healthy squirt of Sriracha, and I plop myself down on the sofa with a marathon of Law and Order SVU. This is a weekly occurrence, I'm ashamed to admit. I'll have to throw in some sweetness to my next batch for a change! xo

Christine D. | The Plumed Nest said...

what a precious story! those are the moments, are they not? i am so glad you shared this recipe - since our lengthy list of food allergies for luca i have been wracking my brain trying to think of (easy) fun snacks to make in bulk. this is perfect! xo

Kaylan said...

we love love love making homemade popcorn and do so year round but I agree, it has some kind of Fall nostalgia to it! I'll be trying this recipe for sure- yum! Have you tried sriracha popcorn before? to die for.

Bec said...

What amazing photos! aaaand now I want popcorn. Yum! Bec x

Unknown said...

Lauren A ;) hope you liked it!

Unknown said...

Kaylan haven't tried the siracha popcorn yet, but your the second person to recommend it - i'll have to give it a try. plus, siracha is good on EVERYTHING, isn't it?

Unknown said...

Christine yes they are! #nothingisordinary i hope this snack works for luca and that he likes it!

Unknown said...

Erin no shame in that at all! sounds like an awesome tradition. and siracha? what a brilliant savoury alternative. man, that stuff goes on just about averything!

Unknown said...

Ursula ah yes, nooch is a great popcorn topping - healthy + tastes cheesy. hope you like this sweet version!

Hannah Smith | fox and willow said...

we love homemade kettle corn! we haven't made it in a while but this is a reminder to get back to it!

lucinda said...

yes! you should! ;)

 

© current tempo All rights reserved . Design by Blog Milk Powered by Blogger