CARAMEL CORN with a twist of good for you

I couldn't remember where I found this recipe, but then when I looked closer I saw that it was originally from the WWW.HILLBILLYHOUSEWIFE.COM.  I can't NOT give her credit of coarse.  I have been making this recipe for some time now, but I changed things up a bit. First by using butter and not margarine. I would simply, never use margarine.  Here is the recipe MY way:

Caramel Corn

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup peanuts (optional) I switch off with other nut types but not for the kids.
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup margarine butter and coconut oil  (I haven't gone 100% coconut oil yet)
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup   coconut nectar 
• 1/4 teaspoon each salt & baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Arrange the popcorn (and peanuts, if you are using them) in a well oiled 9″ by 13″ pan. Get out a 2 quart sauce pan and combine the brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup and salt over low heat. After the margarine melts, cook without stirring for 3 minutes. It should be bubbling gently during the 3 minutes. Stir in the baking soda and vanilla. Quickly pour this over the pan of popcorn. Mix gently to coat the popcorn evenly. Bake the pan at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes. Break it up into pieces and serve. This stuff is so good that it doesn’t last long, but if you do end up with leftovers, store them in a sealed container, or bag. It is good tucked into lunch boxes too.


I will elaborate on Coconut Nector here.   I bought this last year when I was ordering foods online to try out on my family.  I never used it because it was thick and sticky and quite frankly....annoying.  It strings along much like melty cheese.  I almost NEVER use corn syrup, but resigned myself to using it in this one recipe or that every other year candy at Christmas thing. However, while making this recipe, I was always thinking of other ways to health it up.  So I started adding some coconut oil to the butter base, 'in place of' would be more correct.  I wanted to replace the corn syrup but you need something tasty and something that will crisp up in the oven.  Now...last night I had a food epiphany....what if I use that stuff in the cupboard..it is syrupy-like!!!  I made it and it was the bomb!! Perfect...good tasting...good for you...low sugar level and index!!!  Even the kids loved it.  Braveheart said it was the best one yet.  Daddy, I could tell without saying, he might of done without the pumpkin nuts...but hey, even he needs a parasite cleanse now and then!!

I don't have a good sugar replacement, but hey...it's caramel corn, it is what it is....I ate it and still lost .2 pounds the next day...eat occasionally and enjoy!

Read more below about coconut products!

http://www.naturalnews.com/030110_coconut_nectar_vinegar.html