Pop corn

[Koala77]

If I pop my own corn, how do I get the sweet candied finish?

[Hockey]

One way is to put the popped corn in a heat resistant container, pour on melted brown sugar, shake and let it cool.

[Jo*mar]

do you mean like caramel corn? a candy coating?
or just a light sweetening like Hockey mentions?

[Koala77]

I did mean the candied coating, but I might try the brown sugar one as well.

I have my niece and her two small boys coming to visit tomorrow and I thought I'd make them a treat. :)

[Jo*mar]

I can't find my recipe , but this is very close to it-
you can make popcorn balls or just pour the mixture over the popped corn in a large buttered tray or pan - stir or toss it a bit to coat evenly then after it cools break into preferred sizes.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474976828230

[Koala77]

Thanks Jo*Mar, that looks easy enough.... but what is light corn syrup please?

Here we can buy maple syrup, or treacle which I think is molasses, and we have another called 'Golden Syrup'. That's a golden yellow syrup which is normally used in dumplings, but it's equally yummy on toast or pancakes.

[Jo*mar]

r main brand of it is Karo syrup -
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=light%20corn%20syrup&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

[Koala77]

That looks a lot paler than the one we call Golden Syrup, but I daresay it's close enough! :)

Thank you for the information Jo*Mar. I'll let you know how I go.

[mrsD]

Well, Anne, I sure wish I had an Auntie like YOU.

Making special treats etc.

There is a syrup called Rice Bran Syrup. It is becoming more common here in US as a binder for granola bars, and nuts etc, so I think it would work for popcorn too:
http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1023/grain-products-rice.asp

You might have to go to an Asian store, or health food store
to find it, however.

Let us know how the treat turns out! I think a tiny bit of salt in the recipe will balance the sweetness.

[Koala77]

Thank you mrsD. My niece phoned just now and the boys are so looking forward to the visit!

We had it all planned for my DH to take my elder (great) nephew to a special football match a few weeks back, but unfortunately he ended up in hospital having his appendix removed. He's all better now and this visit is to make up for that!

We're taking the boys to a special kid's wonderland so hopefully that'll help them get over their disappointment. I'd like to go to a nearby zoo as well, but we'll have to see how time and weather hold out for that.

[Koala77]

Just letting you know that my niece and her boys have been and gone, and it sure was good to see them again. I do so love having them come to visit! :)

We put on a movie..... "Bedtime Stories" and popped the corn, but after all my best intentions they simply ate it hot ... straight out of the oven ... without any candied coating what-so-ever....just with a teeny bit of butter.

I don't think they would have waited long enough for me to candy it anyway. There were too many watering mouths when it was cooked. :D

Even DH liked it that way, but I promised to coat the next lot just so he could taste the difference.

Oh well. It was probably better for them that way! :rolleyes:

[mrsD]

So long as they are happy, that is what matters in the end.

Popcorn that way is really a major comfort food for many people.

I don't know how popular popcorn is where you are. I know that in Britain for a while, it was considered a "gourmet" thing.

Here some people eat it every day... in businesses with microwaves in the lounge, one can smell it all day long! LOL
While it can be intoxicating while popping...the smell is soooo good... but sometimes people over nuke it, and the resulting burn smell permeates the whole building. That is one major downside for me.

I also think popcorn is one major food that sends people to the dentist. I know a gal who cracked two molars on poorly popped corn and had to get crowns! When I have it I am very very careful!

If and when you decide to experiment with coatings, I'd be interested. So do please post if you do.;)

[Kitt]

I love popcorn but quit eating it probably six months ago. The reason being I got a hull twice way down in my gum and I had to go and have the dentist flush it out, etc.

Enough of that so now I eat "fake" puffed popcorn with no hulls. It is fine and easy to eat when I want some. But there still is nothing like "real" popcorn.:Popcorn::D