A New Addiction, and a Trip to the Liquor Store

I have been thinking about caramel popcorn for the last month. Though my belly was craving for the sugary treat, my fears of making a caramel popcorn similar to a the hard, crunchy and overly sweet type synonymous to a cracker jack discouraged me from ever executing my plans. But last night we had caramel popcorn and it was heavenly. It was chewy but still packed with texture and body and balance.

 I remembered reading from somewhere that I could just use caramel chews for the caramel part so I went with that and added some butter and Karo light corn syrup for some collateral. It was amazing, and Zac doesn't even usually like caramel popcorn (or anything that sticks to his teeth), but he ate this entore tray with me while we watched the BYU men's volleyball team demolish Pepperdine.  Anyways, these caramel popcorn clusters were just divine.  I think the before and afters speak for themselves :)

Before:

After:

the Recipe
13 caramel squares
1 Tablespoon butter
1/4 cup light corn syrup
4 cups HOMEMADE popcorn

Melt caramels in microwave 1.5 min
Add butter for remaining 30 seconds
Add light corn syrup
Combine with popcorn
Spread out on silipat (aka baker's/candied nuts maker's best friend)
Cool in freezer 10 minutes
EAT immediately.

YUM.

Zac also indulged me in my french onion soup obsession by going on a hunt for the all the ingredients after we went to the temple today. Can I just say cheese is so expensive!!

 We tried to find a good white wine at Walmart, Sunflower Market, and Fresh Market. We finally asked someone and found out that in Utah, wine is only sold at liquor stores! Good thing the State Liquor Store was only a couple minutes from our house. This was our first time ever buying liquor so we both actually bickered (in a very loving way of course) about who would get to pull out their ID for the buy. It turns out that they check all of the IDs on the people checking out so it was a win-win. We ended up buying a Pinot Grigio and a Merlot (for braised ribs).  I tried to find so cognac, which was also a popular ingredient but not necessary component of french onion soup, but it was almost closing time so maybe next time.

I went into Sunflower market while Zac stayed in the car so when I saw mussels (one of his favorite things to eat) for sale I grabbed some. I also ended up with a 70oz bottle of extra virgin olive oil on sale for 6 bucks! Major score.

Dinner was great, and it made me want to, once again, go for culinary school! Ahh, someday, someday.

The baguette was a perfect vehicle to soak that broth. Sopping is the best. Cheers!