Fox 4 Morning Blend Fun for Halloween

Once again the WONDERFUL staff at the Fox 4 Morning Blend welcomed me into their "home" for a fun segment on their awesome morning show.  Wild Bill Wood is the perfect host and always makes me feel at home and I know that when I go there we will have a great time.  This visit was no exception, but what was different was that I was blessed to have my awesome friend, Shannon Imlay, with me.  To see the show, click on Fox 4 Morning Blend.

Shannon and I prepared some delicious holiday goodies for the Morning Blend crew to enjoy on this fun Halloween Day.  We began with the Triple Chocolate Boo Goo Apples.  This is one of Shannon's specialties.  She recently appeared on the Food Network's show, The Perfect Three, making this recipe. 

Each Granny Smith Apple is dipped in caramel, then milk chocolate.  The ghost is made of an Oreo Truffle dipped in white chocolate.  The final touch is mini chocolate chips for their eyes and a regular size chocolate chip for their mouths.  If you make the large apples, I promise you, it will be enough for 3 or 4 people.  

The little bottles of "potions" were made from plain bottles which were purchased at the craft store and filled with colored drinks and embellished with fun labels and ribbons.

We found some Spinning Candy Corn suckers which we embellished with a pumpkin face and ribbons and made a cute arrangement in this fun wagon filled with candy pumpkins.  These were our Kreepy Kandy Korn Pops.  

Who wouldn't want some Milk Chocolate Mummys and some Mulled Apple Cider?  We did and that's exactly what we served.  The mummys were made of Hershey Bars, wrapped with crepe paper that had been cut in half.  Then we put two sticky goofy eyes on each one to finish them off.  The Cider was served in a pumpkin punch bowl and served with a cinnamon stick.

What is so much fun is being able to take an ordinary dish you have at home and embellish it to fit the occasion or holiday that you are planning.  That's exactly what we did with this stemmed dish that we filled with Candy Corn and Candy Pumpkins and we called it Monster Mix.  The big beautiful ribbon and the jeweled sculls and crossbones were just the fun touches this dish needed to make it fit right in on our table.

Shannon and I had so much fun putting these things together and what I really want to emphasize with you is how easy it all is.  We try to create things that anyone would be comfortable doing as well.  

Being on the Fox 4 Morning Blend here in South West Florida is such an honor and pleasure.  I am fully aware that there are many people who would love to be the guest of this wonderful cast and crew.  I am so thankful that they allowed Shannon and I to join them for a fun celebration of Fall.  

The real stars of the show are the hosts.  You only see Wild Bill Wood in this interview but he has a wonderful co-host who is out for maternity leave and an acting co-host that is also wonderful.  The producers, camera operators, sound crew, receptionist and all of the people who work so hard to put this show together should be commended for their hard work and success.  Thank you to Jennifer Fairfield-Williams, Executive Producer and Melissa Migliore, Producer for taking such good care of us and treating us so well.   A special thanks to Wild Bill.  You are an extra special person who is completely adorable.  Thanks Bill.

Fall, Crisp Air, Warm Food, and Big News.

It's Fall in Florida!

Fall is here and I am so excited.  Even here in Florida, the weather starts cooling down and the decorations go up.  I always decorate for fall and try to get that "fall feeling."  Both inside and outside are decorated and ready to celebrate fall events and Thanksgiving.  I begin to burn those fall scented candles and air sprays.  There are also foods that I pretty much reserve for fall...don't really know why I do that...but, there are dishes I only make in the fall.  

Gammy's Apple Tart

Exciting things are happening this year.  I will have a very special announcement to make very soon and I am so excited.  So stay tuned and keep checking in to learn what that is.  Also, next Monday, I will be doing a guest appearance on the local Morning Television Show, The Morning Blend.  So excited about that.

Mississippi Mud

Hope you enjoy fall as much as I do.  The posts will start coming more often to share ideas with you for fall and then the most exciting time of the year, Christmas!

Fall Decor

What do you love best about fall?  I would love to hear from you to find out.  Please leave a comment below telling me what your favorite thing about fall.

My Front Porch

Follow me on Pinterest!!!  Loving posting new ideas and photos.  

Happy Fall,

Debbie

Taste of Home Best Loved Recipes

What would you say if I told you that I have a new favorite cookbook?  Well, I do.  Taste of Home Best Loved Recipes arrived at my house about 2 weeks ago.  I haven't put it down since.  This cookbook has 1,485 favorite recipes from the world's #1 Food and Entertaining Magazine.  

One of the things I love most about Taste of Home is that they compile their recipes from home cooks from all across America.  These home cooks are willing to part with and share their most treasured and asked for recipes.  It's a real privilege to have someone's very best recipe. This cookbook has sensational entrees, indulgent desserts, fantastic appetizers, and hundreds more delectable recipes to round out meals.  

Quick Ghost Cookies and were submitted 

by Denise Smith, Lusk, Wyoming.  

Not only does the cookbook have wonderful recipes, but it is a sturdy hard bound book with it's very own book-marker. I love that because it helps me keep my place if I'm looking through for something else or just want to close it up for the day and remember where I stopped.  Taste of Home's Editor-in-Chief, Catherine Cassidy has made sure that this cookbook is first class, just like every other product that Taste of Home produces.  

This beautiful cookbook also has great stories in it.  Cassidy says, "..we will always share with you the name of the special home cook who has been generous and proud enough to share a best loved recipe, a personal story, a moment in time with us."  It makes it so much more personal than just having a recipe without any explanation.  Each recipe has a very personal story of what it has meant to those who submitted it and their families.   

Another thing I love about this cookbook is the way the recipes are categorized.  There are 26 chapters, but many more sub-chapters that will help you decide what would be good for when.  From appetizers, to breakfast, celebrations & and holidays to your favorite potluck picks.  And never forget the desserts, cookies, pies and cakes.  This cookbook has everything in it a new cook could need to get started with learning wonderful recipes.  

Chapters also include some of the most cherished magazine features including:  Mom Made it Best, Our Favorite Contributor's Meals, Mealtime Express, Cooking for One or Two, Grand Prize Winners, and more.

Swamp Juice A La Slime 

by Melissa Ann Beier, Howel, Michigan

Since fall and Halloween are coming up, I decided to preview the Halloween section of Celebrations and Holidays.  I took a page right out of the book and created the three recipes on that page.  Swamp Juice A La-Slime, Trick-Or-Treat Turnovers and Quick Ghost Cookies.  All three are delicious and fun to make.  It would be great fun to make these with your children or grandchildren as well.  Plus, there is practical, proven tips, storage charts, how-to photo's, and at-a-glance prep and cook times.

I made these mummy wrap hot dogs as well from crescent rolls and hot dogs.  This recipe is not in the book, but went well with the others.

Trick-Or-Treat Turnovers

by Marge Free, Brandon, Mississippi

We had a wonderful day trying out these recipes.  When doing a blog posting, it's always difficult to keep the food snatchers away until we are finished.  However, as soon as we were done...wow, that food went fast.

Taste of Home: Best Loved Recipes
1485 Favorites from the World's #1 Food & Entertaining Magazine
By Taste of Home
Published by Reader's Digest
Hardcover: 928 pages
September 13, 2012; $34.99 US/$39.95 CAN; 9780898219913

Description

What is Taste of Home Best Loved Recipes?

• Taste of Home is America's connection to the personal recipes of people who cook at home as a way to bring family and friends together, particularly at the holidays.
• This special collection includes more than 1,400 of the most requested, most beloved dishes, all submitted by Taste of Home readers
• Each recipe has been evaluated and selected by Taste of Home, which ensures that it can be prepared with affordable everyday ingredients. 
• Practical and proven tips to help every kind of cook enjoy perfect results every time 
• Personal stories and memories from contributors are sprinkled throughout

Features

• Prep/Cook Times
• Top 100 favorite recipes marked with an icon
• Everyday ingredients
• Easy-to-follow directions
• How-to photos and cooking tips
• Personal stories
• Ribbon marker

Taste of Home Best Loved Recipes at a Glance
26 chapters inspired by the most popular magazine feature

About Taste of Home
Taste of Home is America's connection to the personal recipes of people who cook at home as a way to bring family and friends together, particularly at the holidays. Each year, thousands of people from across the United States and Canada submit more than 40,000 recipes, of which 3,000 are published. Every recipe that is published is carefully evaluated and selected by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen, which ensures that it can be prepared with affordable, everyday ingredients. Taste of Home content is available in print; online at Tasteofhome.comhttp:/Tasteofhome.com; in books; via digital download on iPad, mobile apps and Kindle; and Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Obtain a subscription www.TasteofHome.com or on your favorite digital download device.

For more information please visit http://www.TasteofHome.com, and follow on Facebook and Twitter

I was provided this cookbook to review for free, but was not compensated for my opinion.  The opinions are my own.

Win a $25.00 Gift card from Walmart. Now Walmart has new USDA Choice Steaks that are DELICIOUS!

Congratulations to follower LAURA J. for being the lucky winner of the Walmart $25.00 gift certificate.  Please contact me by August 19th to claim your prize!!

How about a great steak for your next BBQ on a budget...no, I'm not talking about hamburger steak.  Although I love a great hamburger on the grill, Walmart has some of the best steaks for a reasonable price.  
Here is what I was able to purchase for $25.00 for my last BBQ.

I got a hot loaf of french bread, salad for 4 and 4 8 ounce Premium USDA Choice New York Strip Steaks.  They were delicious and cooked to perfection.  Juicy, tender and flavorful, these steaks satisfied all of our tastes.

If you were to go out to eat and order four meals of New York Strip, Hot Fresh Bread and Salad, I know it would cost you at least $75.00.  You don't even have to leave a tip at home!  (unless you want to)

Of of you lucky followers of Delicious Dishes By Debbie will win a $25.00 gift certificate from Walmart by simply posting what you would buy for a BBQ on a budget to go along with these delicious Walmart steaks.

You can receive an additional entry for doing the following.

Post a photo of your family enjoying a summer BBQ or at dinner.

Be a follower of Delicious Dishes By Debbie.

"Like" Delicious Dishes By Debbie on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/DeliciousDishesByDebbie

Share this giveaway on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter, Debbie Fabre @RealWomanofPhil

Tweet about this giveaway.

Post a photo of what you would make to go with this meal.

Subscribe to Delicious Dishes By Debbie by e-mail.

Subscribe to me on Pinterest.

You may do each one of these once a day for the next five days.  Please make a separate posting for each entry.  On August 17th, I will have a random drawing for the $25.00 gift certificate and it will be sent right out to you.  How easy is that???

Did you know?

·         Customers across the country can now enjoy Walmart’s premium selection and wide assortment of top quality USDA Choice steak, including T-bone, NY Strip, Filet, Rib eye, and Top Sirloin, at a great price.            

·         Walmart selects the best USDA Choice cuts, tender-ages the steak to perfection, and, as we do with all our steaks, makes sure it undergoes rigorous USDA inspections for quality and safety.

·       Walmart is so confident that you’ll love our top quality USDA Choice steaks that we offer a 100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee. If you aren’t fully satisfied, just bring back your receipt for your money back.

·         Only 1 in 5 steaks qualify for Walmart’s USDA Choice Premium Beef label

*Please note I am not an attributable source for Walmart

CINNABON at home? Not impossible anymore!

If you are a Cinnabon Fan and just can't resist passing that Cinnabon Store when you are nearby, guess what?  Now you can have that very same taste at home in an instant.  You don't have to be a chef, top notch baker or even a good cook to use these products and get that same "to die for" Cinnabon taste at home.  Please go to the Cinnabon Facebook Page to learn more about their products and find more recipes from great cooks.  www.Facebook.com/cinnaboncreations

How would you like to go to your kitchen and in less than 30 minutes be able to serve your family this creation?  Well, you can and it's so easy and delicious.

With only 8 ingredients, I was able to create this luscious, decadent meal in less than 30 minutes.  The possibilities are endless with these easy to use products.  The Cinnabon Sprinkle could be used on so many different dishes, instantly transforming them into that "Cinnabon Experience" you could only dream of having at home before now.  Hot out of the oven dishes as well as ice cold freezer dishes are both candidates for this fun, sweet topping.  The Cinnaabon Syrup is different than any other syrup on the market as of now.  It's not just that same old maple flavor, but a rich "cinnamon-ie" goodness that you'll crave.

Cinnabon has brilliantly come up with products for consumers at home that can EASILY be used everyday on so many different things.  Fans of Cinnabon have always craved the irresistible Cinnabon cinnamon-roll taste according to ACH Food Companies Director, John Lazowski. I am excited to share with you that I have entered the 

CINNABON® CREATIONS BLOGGER SWEEPSTAKES!

I can't think of anyone who would turn down a delicious serving of this beautiful casserole made with my Cinnabon Sprinkles and Syrup.

Cinnabon French Toast Casserole

10 pieces sliced bread (I used a light wheat bread)
8 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. Cinnabon Syrup
1/2 c. Cinnabon Sprinkle
1 stick butter
1 cup walnuts
Cooking Spray

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
2.  Beat eggs, milk and salt in a medium size bowl.
3.  Place 6 slices of bread in the casserole dish and pour egg mixture over the bread.
4.  Sprinkle 1/3 of the Cinnabon Sprinkle over the bread/egg mixture.
5.  Pour 1/3 of the Cinnabon Syrup over the bread/egg mixture.
6.  Bake casserole for 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and let rest.
7.  While the casserole is baking, cut the remaining 4 pieces of bread into cubes.  Melt 1/2 stick of butter in large skillet and add 2 T. of Cinnabon Sprinkle.  Mix the butter and Cinnabon sprinkle together and toss the bread cubes in the mixture.  Coat as evenly as possible and toast the bread cubes until golden brown and crispy.
8.  Remove from pan and add the remaining 1/2 stick of butter,  2 T. of Cinnabon Sprinkle and walnuts.  Stirring constantly, toast the walnuts in the Cinnabon Sprinkle butter until golden brown.  You are essentially roasting and candying the nuts.  Remove from heat.
9.  Toss the toasted cubes and candied nuts on top of the casserole.  Sprinkle with additional Cinnabon Sprinkle and Cinnabon Syrup and serve immediately.

Please leave a comment here on my blog telling me what you would use the New Cinnabon products on.  I can think of so many great ideas.  Let's see how many of your ideas match mine.  By trying this product, which was provided for me I have entered the blogger sweepstakes and can win more of these products and you can have an opportunity to win some as well.  

You can have the opportunity to win some of these great products right here on Delicious Dishes By Debbie.  If my blog is chosen as the winner of CINNABON® CREATIONS BLOGGER SWEEPSTAKES then my readers will have the opportunity to win the following.  
READER PRIZE DESCRIPTION – ONE (1) WINNER:  One (1) blog reader, chosen at will by the grand prize winning blogger, will receive a prize pack that consists of twelve (12) bottles of Cinnabon Syrup and twelve (12) bottles of Cinnabon Sprinkle toppings (also known as “a one-year supply”).  The approximate retail value of prize is $75.00.

RUNNER-UP PRIZE DESCRIPTION – TWO (2) WINNERS:  Two (2) winners will receive an American Express Gift Card in the amount of $50.00

Disclosure:  I received the Cinnabon® products used and was entered for a chance to win a Cinnabon Creations prize package in exchange for this post.  No monetary exchange took place.  All opinions are my own.

I've Always Dreamed of Becoming A Pageant Queen...The Road to becomming Taste Of Home's, Mrs. Holiday

You've heard the historic phrase said by the amazing Martin Luther King, Jr, "I have a dream."  Well I too have a dream and I now have an opportunity to achieve that dream.  I know it doesn't compare to the magnitude of Martin Luther King Jr's dream and I don't mean any disrespect, but to me this is a huge opportunity.  I began a journey a few days ago to do something that is custom made for me. I am so excited to do my best to complete that journey and achieve that goal.  Please help me make my dream come true by going to the facebook page and voting!  In order to vote, you must "like" their page and sign in with facebook. If chosen, I would be an ambassador for my favorite magazine, Taste Of Home, all around the United States for one year.  After you see what is happening, I'll show you what I've done to help me along the way.  Here is what is happening....

Press release: Taste of Home Conducts Nationwide Search for Ambassador of the Holiday

MOVE OVER MISS AMERICA, THERE’S A NEW CROWN IN TOWN AND HER NAME IS MRS. HOLIDAY

Spokesperson to receive role with company and $50,000.00

NEW YORK, NY – May 17, 2012 – As we sit here wedged between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it’s pretty clear that America loves the holidays.  According to independent market research, more than $80 billion is spent annually on food during holidays.  That represents about 15% of total supermarket food sales in the U.S.*

There are more than 65 million fans of Taste of Home magazine, its iPad edition, website, books, and special interest publications.  They count on Taste of Home to be their go-to resource for the holidays.  For example, website traffic at TasteofHome.com increases by 25%-40% before every holiday.  Geared up with recipes and ideas, these women head right to retail to start their holiday food shopping.

Recognizing the enormity of the holidays to peoples’ personal lives and the U.S. economy, Taste of Home has begun a nationwide search on Facebook.com/TasteofHome to identify candidates for the position of Mrs. Holiday, a spokesperson role at the company, which includes a $50,000 payment. “Mrs. Holiday will be a new type of pageant queen,” said Taste of Home editor-in-chief Catherine Cassidy.  “She’s an advocate, an ambassador and an inspiration who cooks for her family to bring everyone around the table at the holidays.  She’s got memorable recipes combined with a celebration attitude.”

To audition for the role of Mrs. Holiday, women age 18 or older must visit Facebook.com/Taste of Home to enter a virtual pageant.  There they can submit a video entry of no more than two minutes to show/tell us how they bring the holidays to life and convince us why they should be Taste of Home’s Mrs. Holiday.  They also should submit a signature holiday recipe in 200 words or less. The full entry rules and instructions are provided at Facebook.com/TasteofHome.  All entries will receive a free chocolate chip cookie recipe as a thank you for auditioning.

Unlike the Miss America pageant, consumers will have a hand in picking Mrs. Holiday by voting for their favorite entrant at Facebook.com/TasteofHome starting on June 4 and ending on September 7.  Mrs. Holiday will be selected from among the top 100 vote getters by a panel of experts.

Once officially crowned, Mrs. Holiday will be available to conduct interviews, cooking segments, and blogging, as well as to make appearances across the country at retailers and some of the more than 300 Taste of Home cooking schools.

About Taste of Home: Taste of Home is America’s connection to the personal recipes of people who like to cook at home as a way to bring family and friends together, particularly at the holidays. Each year, thousands of people from across the United States and Canada submit more than 40,000 recipes, of which 3,000 are published. Every recipe that is published is carefully evaluated and selected by the Taste of Home Test Kitchen, which ensures that it can be prepared with affordable, everyday ingredients. Taste of Home content is available in print; online at Tasteofhome.com; in books; via digital download on iPad, mobile apps and Kindle; and Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Obtain a subscription at www.TasteofHome.com or on your favorite digital download device.

About Reade

Taste Of Home, Taste of Home and The Family Handyman, and Enthusiast Brands Birds & Blooms, Farm & Ranch Living, Country, Country Woman and Reminisce, across multiple media platforms to provide consumers content when they want it, where they want it, to expand its Master Brands geographically, and to increase partnership opportunities. Reader’s Digest North America reaches consumers through its various print and digital magazines, websites and social media outlets, books and home entertainment products. Further information can be found at www.rda.com.

* Based on IBISWORLD special report August 2010

I want to become that "New type of pageant queen", "Mrs. Holiday"....and this is how I am going to try to win that title.

I posted a video on www.facebook.com/tasteofhome celebrating Independence Day and a delicious signature recipe that I developed called  

Star Spangled Burger

I know all of you who love delicious food need to immediately rush over to www.facebook.com/tasteof home and click on the link to the Mrs. Holiday search.  When you do that, you can find me and get the amazing recipe for this over-the-top burger and while you are there, you might as well take 2 minutes to view my video and give me a vote. You can vote once a day until September 7th.  After that, a panel of judges will decide who will be crowned Mrs. Holiday.  Hopefully, that will be me, Debbie Fabre!!!!

Not only is this about a signature recipe but the contest is also about Taste Of Home having a spokesperson who can travel and meet other cooks around the country and share holiday tips, recipes and the spirit of Taste of Home.  Did you know that since 1993, Taste of Home has been sharing recipes from cooks, like you and me, from the United States and Canada.  They have their wonderful magazine and numerous amazing cookbooks which I love.  I just did a review on one of their latest cookbooks here in my blog.  Check it out if you haven't seen it yet.  

I love to decorate for all the holidays and create tablescapes to accompany the theme and capture the holiday spirit.  Things are always more exciting and festive when you have decorations and favors on your table and in the house for ANY holiday.  You don't have to decorate on Christmas only...you can do a small amount or a huge amount for every holiday to make it memorable for your family and friends.  We have so many traditions in our home that started with a small decoration or two and have ended up becoming something that my boys will never forget as long as they live...and they will pass these things on to their children as well as creating new memories and traditions.  Check out some of the special things I did to make my table fabulous.

I got this cute dish at the Dollar Tree for, you guessed it, $1.00.
Love it and the blueberries and raspberries just POP against that
beautiful red color.  Added a flag toothpick in the center and look
how beautiful that is.  A fun dish for sure and quick and easy to do.

What is more fun than POPCORN????
Red, White and Blue Candied Corn!!!!
These popcorn boxes are 2/$1.00 at Dollar Tree and I am going to
 share the great recipe with you later in the blog!

My very favorite food is Strawberries!!!
These are dipped in white chocolate and the tips are dipped
in blue sugar.  You can make your own colored sugar if you
don't have or can't find the color you desire.

This is my Star Spangled Burger with an ice cold lemonade.

It isn't a great shot of the straws in the glass, but I made little

flags from scrapbook paper and glued them on the straws.

Also in the background is red, white and blue potato salad.

You can get the colored potatoes in the produce department

of your grocery.  Now they are not inexpensive.

This was a shot as I was setting up.  Wanted you to see

the gumball machine.  Got it at my thrift store for $2.99 

and gumballs are inexpensive. You can change the color 

of the gumballs to go with the theme of your  holiday or 

occasion.  The kids love it!

This wooden boat is one of my favorite pieces.  Again, 

thrift store for $5.99.  It is actually a wall shelf, but am

using it on my table.  Use your imagination and re-purpose

things.  I line it with either paper bowls or plastic liner if 

I want to put food in it.  I just put my dishes on top of it for 

this display!

Everyone loves to take a favor of some kind home from a party.  These little jars are so adorable and you can find them at Hobby Lobby.  Again, waited until they were on sale for half price.  I think I paid about 75 cents each.  Then I used my Cricket machine to cut out the shapes for the lids.  You can do this with out the machine, but it's easier of course. You could just buy stickers to use if you want.  I love a "3-D" effect so I buy foam stickers that are sticky on both sides at the scrapbook dept. of the hobby/craft store.  Just put what ever candy you want in the jar and there you have a really special favor to send home.

I picked this brand new picnic basket at our local thrift store.  It still had the tags on it.  I think I paid about $7.99 for it.  Love the blue gingham lining and it even had silverware, dishes and a cutting board in it.  Notice the bread knife.  So I couldn't resist a big warm loaf of Italian bread!  The red and white gingham dishcloth was purchased at Dollar Tree for $1.00. I love the American Flag sticking out as well.  Got those at Hobby Lobby for about $1.00 each as well.  Shopped when they were on sale.  A picnic basket can be used like this even when you stay home.  It's just adorable.

And Last, but not least, my banners.  I used some pre-cut stars for the top banner.  But the bottom custom "Taste Of Home" banner was primarily made by using my Cricut Machine. I bought scrapbook paper that had patriotic themes.  If you don't have one of those, and I didn't have some of the shapes, then just print out coloring pages of the shape you want and cut it out yourself.  You can also buy a coloring book with the shapes you want and use them for templates. Use glue sticks and some ribbon and you have it. You can EASILY make a banner for any occasion that says just what you want it to.

Now for the Candied Corn recipe I promised you.  It is delicious.  

12 cups popped popcorn (from 1/2 cup popcorn kernels and 6 tablespoons vegetable oil)

2 cups sugar
2/3 cup whole milk or half and half
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract1 drop red (super red) gel food coloring, or enough drops liquid to get a nice red color 1 drop blue (royal blue) gel food coloring, or enough drops liquid to get a deep blue color

To pop the popcorn on the stovetop, in a large pot with a tight fitting lid, add the 6 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 2 kernels of the popcorn and heat over medium heat, uncovered. When the kernels pop, add the remaining 1/2 cup of kernels and fit the lid on the pot. Shake the pot on the stove to heat the kernels. Shake a few times and keep the kernels moving. When the kernels start popping keep the pan moving until the pops are about 2 seconds apart and slowing down (it will take a few minutes to get up to heat, but don’t be tempted to turn the heat up or you’ll scorch the kernels).

Remove the popcorn from the heat and divide into about 4 cups per bowl in 3 large bowls and set aside.

In a medium sized saucepan combine the sugar, milk or half and half, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then bring the mixture to a low boil until the temperature reaches 230 degrees F (soft ball stage – this is where if you drop a small drop of the sugar mixture into a very cold cup of water it should form a soft ball in the water that flattens out when it is out of the water. Don’t rush this part of the process or turn your heat up and get impatient because you’ll end up with caramel instead of a well cooked sugar syrup that you can color with the food coloring. Still tasty, but not what we’re going for here. This part of the cooking process took a good 15 minutes for me on a barely medium flame (at high altitude).

Once your sugar syrup has reached the soft ball stage at 230 degrees, stir in the vanilla extract. It will bubble and hiss, and that’s ok. Once it is all stirred in, pour 1/3 of the mixture into a small heat proof bowl. Add another 1/3 of the mixture from the pan into another heat proof bowl. Add the red food coloring to one of the bowls and the blue food coloring to the other bowl. Whisk the food coloring quickly and carefully into each bowl separately to get your colored syrups.

Working as quickly as possible so your syrup doesn’t cool too much pour the colored sugar syrup each over one of the bowls of popcorn you separated earlier and use a rubber spatula to fold and stir the candy over the popcorn gently to coat. Repeat with the other two syrups in the other two bowls – if your syrup has cooled too much to pour, reheat it quickly in the microwave for a few seconds to make it more pourable, but not enough to bubble it – it should be about the consistency of corn syrup and still warm.

Spread the stirred and coated popcorn out onto a large piece of parchment to cool and dry for a few minutes. Toss the colors together (or line them up on a pan in stripes!) and serve.

Recipe and Popcorn photos were adapted from Phemomenon Blog






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