Kettle Corn

What is your favorite kind of popcorn?

Are you having trouble answering that question? I certainly am. I love it all. Seriously. ALL OF IT. Movie theater popcorn. Microwave popcorn. White cheddar popcorn. (Fluorescent orange) Cheese popcorn. Salt and pepper popcorn. Buttered popcorn. Air-popped popcorn. Kettle corn. Really I'm not going to turn it down. EVER. I sometimes eat popcorn for dinner even though Scott continually tells me it is a snack and not a meal.

Recently I've been avoiding purchasing microwave popcorn and utilizing my air popper. The advantages of air-popped popcorn include the caloric intake (less butter if you drizzle it yourself), customizable seasonings (including salt), and the price (you can get a whole bag of kernels for $2-3 and it will last you). Most of the time I just air-pop the kernels and toss with a little bit of seasoning salt. However, the other day I was really craving kettle corn. So I did what I always do- googled homemade kettle corn and came across the following recipe. The key is to make the kettle corn on the stove top and to continually shake it while it is popping to avoid burning any sugar. Now I've made this at least 4 times in the past month. It is the perfect salty sweet snack. Making popcorn on the stove top is not quite as healthy as the air-popper but this kettle corn is worth it. And you probably have everything you need in your pantry right now. You should do it... I'll be right over :)

Kettle Corn (from Our Best Bites via Tracey's Culinary Adventure)
Ingredients:
3 tbsp canola oil
1/3 cup popcorn kernels
2-3 tbsp sugar
salt

Directions:
Place the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add three kernels of popcorn. Cover and heat until the three kernels pop. Meanwhile, combine the rest of the kernels and the sugar in a bowl and toss to mix. Once the kernels pop, add the rest of the kernels and the sugar and mix immediately with a wooden spoon. Cover and heat, shaking the pot often until all the kernel (or most of them) are popped. Sprinkle with salt. EAT (by the handful)!