Movie Night

"We make sacred pact. I promise teach karate to you, you
you promise learn. I say, you do, no questions."
- Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid 

       What goes hand in hand with a good movie? POPCORN! With T.I.F.F. starting today, I thought, "What better way to kick things off with some good old fashioned (and creative) popcorn recipes?" Okay, so, I didn't make the popcorn today, but I thought I would share it with you today. I actually made it last Wednesday when Mr. Pepper, Mr. Walker and myself went to a screening of The Karate Kid. I'm not talking about the new one with Jackie Chan and Will Smith's son, I am talking about the original 1984 version. And, what's better than watching an original? Watching an original with fancy popcorn creations!



Old Fashioned Caramel Corn
         First, pop your popcorn, for the recipe below you'll need about 5 quarts of popped corn, which is a lot. You can always just 'eyeball it' which is what I typically do. You can use microwave popcorn, you can use store-bought  popcorn, you can use kettle corn, you can use the Jiffy-Pop stuff you make camping, or you can do it by hand on the stove-top. Whatever method you are most comfortable with works well.

Old Fashioned Caramel Corn

       Next, preheat your oven for 250°F and place the cooked popcorn in a very large bowl (believe me, don't pick the small bowl or you will be eating your popcorn off the floor and the counter). In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of butter (movie popcorn isn't supposed to be healthy). Stir in 2 cups of brown sugar, and about 1 tsp of salt. (If you want, you can also add a 1/2 cup of corn syrup, but I don't think it needs it). Stir this mixture constantly until it is boiling. STOP STIRRING. Boil without stirring for 4 minutes (if you keep stirring it will crystallize and won't look good). Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp of vanilla extract (you can also add a 1/2 tsp of baking soda, but I didn't, and it was fine). Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat (this is why you'll be glad to have a big bowl).

         Then, spread out your mixture on cookie sheets and bake in your preheated over for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. (If you like it a little chewy, go for the 30 minutes, if you like it crunchy go for the full hour). Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces.

Bacon Popcorn
           Yes, you read correctly. What goes better with bacon than, well, everything is better with bacon! Popcorn shouldn't have to lose out because its healthier than your average snack.

Oink! Oink! Pop!

          First start by frying up some good old bacon in a large frying pan. Do however much you'd like, but whatever you do, DO NOT get rid of the drippings (that's the key ingredient). When your bacon is good and done, remove it and set it aside. Now, pour in your popcorn kernels (this one has to be done the old fashioned way). Cook the popcorn in the bacony-goodness according to your kernel can instructions. (Depending on how much grease you have, you might need to add some butter or olive oil to have the correct amount to pop the kernels). Once the popcorn is popped, place it in a large bowl. Chop up your bacon into small pieces and put into a smaller bowl. Add some melted butter and some salt (I use salt-free butter and sodium reduced bacon so I feel it still needs a little kick), mix and them pour over your popcorn mixing well. Adjust the seasons as you see fit.

          Popcorn is so delicious, especially when you add unique ingredients Cayenne pepper, garlic butter, dill butter, cheese are all some suggestions. Be creative, give it a shot. And, if you're looking for a beverage other than soda to drink with your popcorn on movie night, give this tea a try.

                                                                                                   Enjoy!
                                                                                                        Mel