Let's make some caramel popcorn!
I have never made caramel popcorn, ever! So I thought I should do some basic research.
It seems to me that most recipes are pretty much the same. Melt some butter, add some sugar(s), and a bit of salt, let that boil then add some baking soda. Pour the yummy caramel over some popcorn. Done!
It really is that easy.
When I was looking for a recipe I thought "Who would know butter and sugar the best?" and I came up with the lovely Paula Deen. Yes, I do love Paula Deen! There has been much talk about her racial comment and all I will say is this: If I was robbed at gun point, I may use inappropriate comments too.
Please see here: Paula Deen, context of her comment
So, first to make the popcorn. You could use microwave popcorn, no butter or lightly buttered, or you can air pop some, or you can go old school and use a large pot on the stove. That's what I did and it was super easy and tasted great.
Stove top popcorn was pretty fun to make!
Just heat a few tablespoons of canola oil in a large heavy bottomed pan. Put in 3 kernels only, these will be your "guide" kernels, letting you know when the oil is ready. When these 3 kernels pop, remove the pot from the heat and put in 1/3 cup of kernels. Wait 30 seconds before returning the pot to the heat. This method first heats the oil to the right temperature, then waiting 30 seconds brings all of the other kernels to a near-popping temperature so that when they are put back on the heat, they all pop at about the same time.
Return the pan to the heat. The popcorn should begin popping soon, and all at once. Once the popping starts going like mad, gently shake the pan by moving it back and forth over the burner. Try to keep the lid slightly ajar to let the steam from the popcorn release (the popcorn will be drier and crisper). Once the popping slows to several seconds between pops, remove the pan from the heat, remove the lid, and dump the popcorn immediately into a wide bowl.
Now you have the popcorn, and here is Paula's Recipe.
Ingredients
1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
8 cups popped popcorn
Directions
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F
In a saucepan over medium heat combine the butter, sugar, salt, and corn syrup.
Boil for 5 min. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Mix together really well.
Pour over the popcorn and stir to coat. Taste it very carefully, it will be hot!
Bake in a pan for 1 hour, stirring every 15 min. This makes it dry and crunchy.
Spread on waxed paper to cool and dry.
Enjoy!
Store the leftovers in an air-tight container....that is if you have any leftovers!
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