Maple Nut Popcorn Food

MAPLE BACON SNACK MIX

Steps:

• Line 2 sheet pans with waxed paper, then set aside.
• Add the popcorn, bacon, pretzels and nuts to a large bowl. Mix and set aside.
• Add the sugar, butter, maple syrup, corn syrup and salt to a large, heavy-bottomed pot fitted with a candy thermometer and place over a medium-low heat. When the butter has melted, stir together, then turn up the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the candy thermometer reads "hard-crack stage" (300 degrees F), 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the maple extract. Carefully pour over the snack mix and toss using two wooden spoons. Transfer to the prepared sheet pans and spread out to allow it to cool, about 10 minutes. Break into clusters and transfer to a large serving bowl.

MAPLE PECAN POPCORN

Steps:

• Toss together pecans and popcorn in a large bowl.
• Line a large shallow baking pan with foil, then lightly oil foil and a wooden spoon.
• Melt butter in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat. Add syrup and salt, then boil, without stirring, until mixture registers 300°F on thermometer, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Pour syrup over pecans and popcorn, stirring briskly with oiled spoon to coat. Immediately spread popcorn in baking pan. Cool completely, then break into bite-size pieces.

MAPLE PECAN POPCORN

Steps:

• Toss popcorn and pecans in a large bowl.
• Line bottom of a 17-by 11-inch 4-sided sheet pan with foil, then lightly oil foil.
• Melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add maple syrup and salt and boil (still over medium heat), without stirring, until thermometer registers 300°F, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Pour syrup over pecans and popcorn, stirring briskly with a lightly oiled spoon or silicone spatula to coat, then immediately spread popcorn in pan in 1 layer. Cool completely, then break into bite-size pieces.

MAPLE POPCORN

Steps:

• In a greased large roasting pan not too deep, mix popped popcorn and pecans. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan with thick bottom, mix sugar, butter, maple syrup, corn syrup and salt. Bring to boil at medium heat. Let simmer, always stirring, 10 to 12 minutes or until a candy thermometer reaches 300 F (149 C). Remove from the heat. Add maple extract and stir. Pour the mixture on the plain popped popcorn and stir to coat well. Let cool. Break off and it's ready. (you can do this in advance and put it in an hermetic container. It will be good up to 1 week at room temperature.