Nutty Caramel Corn Food

NUTTY CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Place popcorn in a large greased bowl. Sprinkle pecans and almonds over top; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, butter and corn syrup; cook and stir over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 300°-310° (hard-crack stage). , Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Immediately pour over popcorn mixture; toss gently. Spread on greased baking sheets. When cool, break into small pieces. Store in airtight containers.

NUTTY CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Pour the sugar into the center of a deep saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Carefully pour the water around the walls of the pan, trying not to splash any sugar onto the walls. Do not stir; gently draw your finger twice through the center of the sugar, making a cross, to moisten it. Over high heat, bring to a full boil and cook without stirring until golden caramel, about 10 to 15 minutes, swirling the mixture occasionally to even out the color.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the butter. Add the popcorn, pecans, and cashews. Pour onto a silicone baking mat on the counter, or a marble surface. Let the mixture cool a few minutes; then start breaking it up into clusters, working quickly so it doesn't harden and you don't burn yourself. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
• Note: I use Black Diamond Popcorn with its petit size "hulless" kernel. To popcorn properly, place the kernels in a heavy-bottomed large pot and cover then with oil. Put the lid on and cook on high until you hear the first pop. Immediately take it off the heat and let it sit 1 minute. Then return it to the heat and finish popping, shaking the pan the whole time. I don't know why this is better but this is what my dad does and his popcorn was always the best.

NUTTY CARAMEL POPCORN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Butter a large roasting pan.
• Combine popped corn and nuts in the prepared pan, mixing well. Place in the oven while preparing the glaze.
• In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, orange zest and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Boil for 4 minutes without stirring.
• Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla and baking soda. BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE SODA AS IT MAY MAKE THE SYRUP FOAM UP AND SPATTER A BIT!Gradually pour the glaze over the popped corn mixture, stirring to coat well.
• Bake until dry; stirring occasionally, approximately 1 hour.
• Remove from the oven. Using a metal spatula, free the popcorn from the bottom of the pan. Let cool completely in the pan.
• Break into clumps. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

CARAMEL CORN MIX

Steps:

• Combine ingredients.

NUTTY CARAMEL CORN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
• Put the oil and 3 or 4 popcorn kernels in a large pot with a lid (at least 6 quarts). Cover the pot and turn the heat up to medium-high. Wait until you hear one of the kernels pop, then uncover the pot and add the remaining kernels. Quickly stir everything together then replace the lid. Cook the popcorn until the kernels begin popping and then reduce the heat slightly. Cook, shaking often, until the rate of popping starts to slow, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not wait for all of the kernels to pop or they will burn. Take off the heat.
• Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a medium pot. Heat over medium heat until melted and smooth. Stir in the baking soda.
• Pour the nuts on top of the popcorn. Then pour the caramel into the pot with the popcorn; stir to coat and spread the popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake, stirring occasionally, until slightly golden, about 20 minutes. Cool completely, and then break apart before serving.