The Caramel Corn Recipe

Okay here it is, the most asked about recipe. It is right up there with my thin mints! I found the recipe on recipezaar which is now called food.com it is #273797. The poster said that it is originally from The Taste of Home.

Ingredients
- 8 quarts popped popcorn
-2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup corn syrup
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions
1. Place popcorn ( 8qts=24 cups) in a large bowl and set aside. In a saucepan combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt; bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly.

2. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

3. Remove from heat

4. Stir in vanilla and baking soda; mix well. Pour over popcorn until well coated.

5. Pour into two greased 13x9 baking pans

6. Bake, uncovered at 250 degrees for 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes

7. When slightly warm break up and put in and airtight container.


My Notes
I use an air popper and 3 tablespoons of kernels equals about 6 cups of popped. 8 quarts of popped popcorn is about 12 Tablespoons.

Wait only about 3 minutes after taking it out of the oven to break up and put in a bowl. If you wait too long it will all just stick together.

Enjoy!

White Pizza Sauce

I have been making homemade pizzas for lunch lately. Usually I just use a jar of spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese. One day I decided a white pizza sounded really good and I came across this easy recipe for the sauce. It was great and very simple. I also topped it with some chicken breast and mushrooms. I only had string cheese stick so I just sliced 2 sticks and placed it around the pizza it turned out wonderfully.

White Pizza Sauce

enough for 2 pizzas

can also use on pasta

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 garlic clove minced (I keep a jar of minced garlic in my fridge)
2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced (I used dried)
1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese (I just used Parmesan since that is what I had on hand)

Heat butter in small saucepan. Add flour and stir until thoroughly mixed. Slowly whisk in milk, adding gradually. Stir in remaining ingredients. Will thicken upon standing.

Enjoy!

Nacho Bean Soup & Quiche in a Bag

We currently have a French exchange student and it is going well but I have been off my normal routine. I made these last week and having meaning to share them with you. It was the first time I made the soup and it turned out really good, I will be making it again. Alex also like to help me make it by dumping the cans into the pot.

The quiche recipe is very simple and a great way to use up extra ham.

Nacho Bean Soup

2 cans Great Northen beans (white beans), drained and rinsed
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce ( I used two small cans)
3/4 cup canned diced green chiles (I used 1 medium can)
3 cups water
1 cup chopped onion
1/4 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 ounces Dorritos, crushed

Combine all ingredients except chips in large saucepan with tight fitting lid. Over med-high heat bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes or until onion is tender. Serve in bowls and sprinkle with the crushed chips. Good with some corn muffins.

Quiche in a Bag

(Freezer Recipe)

3/4 cup chopped ham

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups milk

4 eggs

1/8 teaspoon or a dash of Tabasco sauce

1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

Add chopped ham and cheese in a freezer ziploc bag. In a blender add milk, eggs, tabasco, flour and baking powder and mix well. Pour into bag with ham and cheese. Seal and label bag getting as much air out as posible. Freeze

To Serve: Thaw in bag. Shake bag well and pour into a greased deep dish pie plate or 8x8 dish. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes until lightly brown and well set in the center. Cool about 5 minutes before serving.

Baked French Toast

I will be making this for Christmas morning. This French toast is so good and easy, if you like sweet things! Denfinetly not a healthy choice but great for speacial occasions. Enjoy!

Baked French Toast

Serves 8

9 x 13 pan (or 2 8x8 pans)

1 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

2 T. Corn syrup

Loaf of french bread or Texas toast

5 eggs

1 1/4 Cup milk

1 t. Vanilla

In saucepan combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup. When melted together pour into bottom on pan. Slice the bread in 1" slices if not already sliced. Lay the bread in the syrup mixture. Cut or squeeze pieces in if needed. In blender mix the eggs, milk and vanilla. Pour mixture over the bread making sure to cover all the bread. Let sit in fridge overnight before baking.

To Freeze:

Cover pan with foil, seal label and freeze.

Serving Day.

Thaw. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.