Agave Kettle Corn Food

GRILLED KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. (If using a charcoal grill, make sure that the coals are several inches below the grate.)
• Combine the popcorn, vegetable oil, sugar and fine salt in an 8- to 9-inch round disposable aluminum cake pan and stir to coat. Tear off two 18-inch-long sheets of heavy-duty foil. Crimp the end of one sheet around the rim of the pan on one side, then crimp the other end of the foil on the opposite side of the pan, leaving 5 to 6 inches of room above the kernels so they have room to pop. Rotate the pan 90 degrees and repeat to crimp the second sheet of foil onto the pan, perpendicular to the first, making sure that the entire edge is well sealed. The foil should create a dome over the top of the pan.
• Once the grill registers 350˚ F to 375˚ F, put the pan on the grill. Wait until you hear sizzling, about 2 minutes, then, using tongs, start shaking the pan frequently until the popcorn starts to pop, 3 to 5 minutes (it's important to keep the pan moving so the sugar doesn't burn before the kernels start to pop). Continue to cook, shaking almost constantly, until the popping subsides, 3 to 5 more minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let stand a few minutes. Carefully cut an X into the top of the foil and peel back the layers to expose the popcorn. Sprinkle with smoked sea salt. The popcorn will feel slightly sticky at first but will become crisp as it cools.

KETTLE CHIPS WITH PARMESAN AND HERBS

Steps:

• Wash and clean the potatoes in cold running water. Using a mandoline, or vegetable peeler, finely slice the potatoes into chips. Drop the chips into a bowl of ice water as you work to prevent them from going brown. This will also remove any excess starch.
• Set a large pot of 75/25 canola and olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic (paper and all) and whole stems of fresh rosemary, sage and thyme. Bring oil up to 375 degrees F. As it heats up the oil will get infused with the garlic and herbs. Once the herbs crackle and get crispy they will go clear and you know they are done. Using a strainer drain the herbs and garlic and set aside on paper towels.
• Fry the potatoes in batches until golden and crispy. Drain the chips, dry well on paper towels and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with crispy fried herbs, garlic and shower with Parmesan.

SWEET AND SPICY CAST IRON KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Preheat grill if using. Place a large cast iron skillet on grill with vegetable oil in it. Heat until almost smoking. Pour in remaining ingredients and cover skillet. Shake skillet gently while wearing an oven mitt, constantly while corn pops. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Don't let it go too long in between pops or the sugar and butter will burn. It's better to have some "old maids" than burnt popcorn.

JADE'S KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
• Heat a large Dutch oven, covered, over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the coconut oil and heat 30 seconds. To check if the Dutch oven is hot enough, add one or two popcorn kernels to the pan and cover with the lid. Cook until you hear the kernels pop, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the remaining kernels and the sugar, stir to combine and cover. Shake the pan vigorously to coat the kernels in the sugar and oil. Cook, shaking the pan often, until the popping has slowed to about 2 pops per second, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and carefully uncover. Pour the mixture onto the prepared pan and sprinkle with the cinnamon salt. Be careful: the popcorn is extremely hot at this point. Allow the kettle corn to cool for 5 minutes before enjoying.