Sunday, January 24, 2010

Week 20: Spicy Caramel Popcorn

I am the proud owner of a Whirly Pop; it was a birthday gift. We've used it to make regular popcorn, but as soon as I saw this recipe on Smitten Kitchen I knew I needed to bust out the Whirly Pop for something a little more special.

Spicy Caramel Popcorn
Taken from Smitten Kitchen

Makes 4 quarts (16 cups)


Nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 C popcorn kernels
2 C salted peanuts (optional)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
3 C sugar
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 Tbsp salt

Lightly coat two large, heatproof rubber spatulas, a very large mixing bowl and two large baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray or a thin slick of oil.

In a large saucepan or pot with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the popcorn kernels, cover and keep the saucepan moving until all of the kernels have popped, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared bowl, removing any unpopped kernels. Toss with salted peanuts, if using.

In a small bowl, whisk together the baking soda and cayenne pepper.

Have the two large baking sheets ready. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, salt and 1/2 cup water. Cook over high heat, without stirring, until the mixture becomes a light golden-yellow caramel, 10 to 14 minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully whisk in the baking-soda mixture (the mixture will bubble up).

Immediately pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and don’t fuss if it doesn’t all come out of the pot — you’ll have plenty. Working quickly and carefully, use the prepared spatulas to toss the caramel and popcorn together, as if you were tossing a salad, until the popcorn is well coated.

Spread the popcorn onto the baking sheets and quickly separate them into small pieces while still warm. Cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Once cool, store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

As the recipe is written, 1 cup serving of popcorn is 7 Weight Watchers points.

Changing the peanuts to 1 C, the vegetable oil to 2 Tbsp, and the serving size to 3/4 cup decreases the Weight Watchers points to 4.

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