Popcorn is a traditional "harvest" snack that's been eaten in North America for centuries; The pilgrims and native Americans probably ate popcorn at the first Thanksgiving, though surely not this kick-ass version. Too bad - it would've really turned the party up a notch (you know that dinner was awk-ward), and is easy enough to make around a campfire. Popcorn is good with salt and better with butter, but it's unbelievably awesome with this gooey, sweet topping - it would be just as at home on the Thanksgiving dessert table, as it would be on the pre-dinner snack tray. Kids can help mix, too!
Peanut Butter Popcorn
makes about 8 cups
1/4 cup popcorn kernels
Vegetable oil
Fine salt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter (should be free of added sugar)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Prepare a clean paper shopping bag or giant mixing bowl. Heat a
large heavy pan (cast iron, if you have it) over medium heat and fill the bottom with vegetable
oil. Add the popcorn, shake to distribute, then put a lid on the pan.
Leave a small crack for steam to escape. When the popcorn starts
popping, shake vigorously to make sure the kernels pop evenly. When the
popping slows, take the pan off the heat. Pour the popcorn into the
paper bag or bowl to cool, being careful to leave any unpopped kernels
in the pan. Coated with peanut butter caramel, the unpopped kernels are
a serious tooth hazard. Lightly salt the popcorn to taste.
Mix the honey and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let
it simmer for a couple minutes, then remove from the heat and add the
peanut butter. Stir vigorously until all the peanut butter is melted,
then mix in the vanilla.
Immediately pour the peanut butter caramel over the popcorn and stir
with a long-handled wooden spoon until it's all coated. Once it's mixed
you can put it in a serving bowl, or just snarf it down right then and there. I dare you not to! It's that good!
[Via Apartment Therapy]
