The More You Eat...The More You Want

 

A piece of freshly popped corn is a truly beautiful thing.

But one covered in bacon, bourbon and caramel is well, a work of art.  I’m not usually a huge fan of caramel corn but I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Cracker Jacks.  Do they even make those anymore?  They were packaged in wonderful cardboard boxes with paper prizes (generally the sticker, or press-on tattoo variety).  

I didn’t invent Bacon Bourbon Caramel Corn (although I wished I had).  Should you need to fill your recently realized Bacon Bourbon Caramel Corn shaped hole in your stomach and don’t want to make it yourself try this link:

http://shop.saltedcaramel.net/ 

If you want to try your hand at making it yourself try this recipe.

 

Original recipe was from:  

http://orangette.blogspot.com/2009/12/for-ever-and-ever.html

I simply substituted bacon fat for some of the butter, used bourbon instead of water and added finely chopped bacon. 

1 (3½-ounce) package plain (unbuttered natural flavor) microwave popcorn, or about 10 cups fresh popcorn popped by any method, lightly salted

1 cup packed light brown sugar

¼ cup light corn syrup

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

2 TB Bacon fat

2 TB Bourbon

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup lightly salted peanuts, roughly chopped

1. Pop your corn.  Preheat oven 250°F.

2. In a saucepan, whisk sugar, corn syrup, butter, bacon fat and salt and bourbon.  Simmer (a lot of the alcohol will burn off & flavor stays).  Bring to 250°F using a candy thermometer, cook for 3-4 min.  

3.  Remove from heat, add baking soda and vanilla.  It will bubble and make a fuss, just whisk until it's all mixed in.

4. Pour caramel over popcorn on a sheet tray.  Cover evenly.  (Hint:  either spray your sheet tray with cooking spray or line with foil for easy clean up) Stick in the oven for 1 hour, stir and turn popcorn every 20 minutes.  Cool and break up pieces. 

I ate most of this all by myself. Soo good, but probably not so wise.  I shared a little with Josh and forced myself to box up some of it to give to an old friend who was visiting in town.  Already thinking of new ways to change this up...Hazelnuts and Pendleton Whisky for an all Oregon version?  Hmmm....salivating just thinking of it.