Rosemary Caramel Corn with Smoked Salt

Whether you are browsing Netflix, at a theater, or tuning in for your favorite show, chances are you need a salty snack. Movies are almost synonymous with popcorn; the crispy bits bring a sense of community to the snack bowl. Both Brandon and I love it, although I think he enjoys the crunchy treat a bit more (as he pulls the bowl further from my reach). Knowing this, anytime we see a movie, I make sure he is never without- yes this means force-feeding him.

Being the sugar junkie that I am, what's better than popcorn for a movie? Caramel Popcorn, of course! Caramel corn was a treat that I got on occasion as a child. Not too often, but enough to tantalize the brain with food memories of days gone by. One thing that I always hated about caramel corn is the tedious baking process. Yes this makes it crispier, but who can bear the extra wait with that smell in the air? One way to combat this problem is to cook the caramel for a bit longer, you don't have to bake at all, but your caramel corn will have a sticky character to it.

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup popping corn kernels
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon rosemary- minced
3/4 teaspoon hickory smoked salt- course

1. Place the oil and corn kernels in a large saucepan
2. Put a tight fitting lid on the pan
3. Heat the kernels over medium high heat, shaking occasionally
4. After a few moments the kernels will begin to pop, continue to shake
5. As the popping slows down remove the pan from the heat
6. Leave the lid on the pan until popping stops
7. Coat a medium bowl with nonstick spray
8. Place all of the popped corn into the sprayed bowl (no kernels!)
9. In a small sauce-pot combine together the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter
10. Cook the sugar mixture until it begins to produce large foamy bubbles (about 6-8 minutes)
11. Add in the baking soda, and rosemary, stir to fully mix
12. CAREFULLY, pour the hot sugar over the popped corn
13. Using a heatproof spatula toss the corn so it's completely coated in caramel
14. Sprinkle in the smoked salt

Yield: 1-2 servings

So whether you are force-feeding someone at the movies or just having a cozy movie night, don't just settle for your ordinary popcorn. Dress up those bits of corn with this savory-sweet coating and be prepared to pull the bowl away from greedy hands!

Keep Eating,
JTFussy