Amish Caramel Popcorn

 Extremely addictive and delicious!

You can make it with regular "butterfly" popcorn, but we prefer to make it using "mushroom" popcorn.  I like to double the recipe and store the popcorn in large ziploc bags so we have some on hand for movie nights.  So yummy!!!!

INGREDIENTS:

14 c plain gourmet mushroom popped popcorn

1 c brown sugar

1/4 c honey (you can substitute for light corn syrup)

1/2 c butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp baking soda

Grease (I use butter) two 9x13 baking pans, add popcorn evenly, set aside.  Just FYI, you don't have to use 9x13 pans, just a baking pan/dish that is big enough to fit your popcorn. 

In a small sauce pan, add brown sugar, honey, and butter.  Boil for about 5 minutes stirring often. Remove from heat, add vanilla, mix well, then add the baking soda, mix well.  The caramel will get a little foamy when you add the baking soda.  Pour caramel evenly over popcorn.  Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour stirring every 15 minutes.  Pour popcorn over parchment or wax paper to cool down and separate.  Enjoy!!

Note:

1.  I have made the popcorn using both honey and light corn syrup.  They taste the same, so now I only make it with honey.

2.  Baking it for 45 minutes is plenty, unless you want your popcorn extra toasty :)

3.  Like I mentioned before, mushroom popcorn is perfect for this treat and the caramel coats it better than butterfly.

Brazilian Stuffed Bread

In Brazil, when you have visitors over, it's pretty much tradition to sit down and "tomar um lanche", which is literally translated to "take a lunch", but it's a way to say eat a snack, or have some tea (if you're from Europe).

And this bread is just perfect for that. I would say, in a typical Brazilian home, you would have as an afternoon snack: some bread (from french bread to cheese bread), cake, and Coca-Cola (okay, maybe Guaraná). Just kidding, but it is very common.



This recipe is so easy, the hardest part really is just waiting patiently for the dough to rise. AND you may just have all the ingredients in your pantry.

Ingredients:

- 3 to 3 1/2 C Flour (Start with 3 and keep adding until it doesn't stick to your fingers anymore)

- 4 tbsp. Oil (I think I used canola)

- 2 tbsp. Sugar

- 2 Eggs

- 1 tsp. Salt

- 1 C water

- 1 tbsp. Yeast

- Mayo

- Shredded Parmesan Cheese

You can use anything to put inside the bread, here are some suggestions:

- Muzzarella chesse, diced tomatoes, and basil

- Pepperoni and cheese

- Just Cheese

- Ham, cheese, tomato, onions, and oregano (I made this one and it turned out delish, except I used some left-over salsa fresca since I didn't have any more onions and it turned out pretty good)

You can also use any kind of meat like salami, turkey, hot dogs (this would need to be chopped)...Just use your imagination!

Put all of the ingredients in a large bowl, except for the water and yeast. In a small bowl, add water and yeast and let it sit for a few minutes (while you mix everything else in the large bowl).
Add the water and yeast to the large bowl and mix it all up with your hands.
Flour a flat surface and knead the dough for a few minutes.
Cover and let it rise for at least 30 minutes (I would do about 45 minutes).
While the dough rises, you can prepare your toppings. Make sure to chop everything up, except the cheese, if it's already grated.
Separate the dough into two equal pieces. Open one in a rectangle, spread the mayo, add chesse and other toppings. Roll it up lengthwise. It doesn't need to be rolled up super well, I usually only do it a couple times. Spread some more mayo on top of the bread and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. You can also add parsley on top to make it look prettier, or, in my case, to differentiate from the other bread, which had a different topping. Make sure you pinch the ends so the cheese doesn't run out. Repeat everything with the other piece of dough and put it in a floured (spread butter first, and then the flour) cookie sheet.

Bake for aproximately 40 minutes at 350 F.

Candied Corn Pops

Caution:

These are the most addicting treat I've ever made. It makes a large amount and if you don't have someone to share them with, you might find yourself finishing them off... then regretting it later. 

(This coming from personal experience. lol)

Candied Corn Pops

1 large bag corn pops pop corn (16 oz)

2 cup sugar

4 cubes butter (1lB)

4 tablespoon water

Boil together for 7 min remove from heat then add 2 tsp vanilla. 

Stir and pour over corn pops.