Appetizers
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Stovetop Kettle Corn – my all time favorite crispy snack guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Things I’ve learned this week.
#1. People are usually much nicer than you might think. I’ve gone through a shift the last few months in regards to doing our weekly grocery shopping. Although going to the grocery store isn’t something I’ve ever absolutely hated, I’ve really started to enjoy it more and more recently. I don’t know if this is the case everywhere, but the people who work at the grocery store in Austin are extremely friendly, and not just in the way of “hi, did you find everything you were looking for” or “you saved $6 today – have a great rest of your day!” No, down here you go to the store with your weekly list and you walk out knowing how Denise’s (your bagger) 4 year old granddaughter is an amazing eater and likes eating vegetables more than ice cream. You learn that Marcos the cashier wasn’t in a good mood when he got to work this morning but his co-worker brought him a coffee and then Stephen his manager told him to take an extra long lunch break today, and now he’s having a great day! You find out that Sarah doesn’t know what half of the vegetables she’s ringing up for you are because her mom never made dinner much and now Sarah is having to learn how to cook for herself. You get asked about your job and your husband and if you have weekend plans and what you’re making with the ingredients you’re buying. It’s fine if you show up in your pajamas with bedhead because no one cares about that sort of thing, but they will ask how your morning is going because you’re probably giving off that tired and apathetic vibe. People are nicer than you think – especially in the places that you often try to get out of ASAP, like the grocery store. It’s good to slow down and chat sometimes.
#2. Having pets is the best, but losing pets is absolutely the worst. One of Kevin’s dogs back in Kansas had to be put down yesterday and even though he hadn’t spent much time with her since leaving for college, it kinda broke us up. His mom said that their other dog just laid on Maddie’s grave after they buried her and that kept me up last night thinking about it. For anyone who has pets and can treat them like they’re just another accessory, a fixture in the home, is beyond me. I’m convinced that pets are an integral part of any home – it’s just no fun at all when you have to say goodbye.
#3. Sometimes we need to cool it with the perfectly Pinterest food and just make something that’s good, quick, and loved by all. This kettle corn recipe is something that my mom has been making for a few years and shared with me about a year ago. I thought that kettle corn was only something that you could get at the farmer’s market booth or the state fair, but turns out it’s a breeze to make on your very own stove! Without exaggeration, we eat this for our nighttime snack at least twice a week. Yeah yeah, I know there’s sugar in it, but guess what, you’d have the same amount in a half can of soda or in a quarter of a frappucino! I’ve brought a big bowl of this kettle corn to so many different hang-outs with friends and it’s been a hit every time. It’s light with a crispity crunchy coating and it has the whole sweet and salty goodness going on.
What have you learned this week?? I’d love to hear in the comments below 🙂 🙂
Stovetop Kettle Corn
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 popping corn
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In large, heavy pot over high heat, stir together oil and sugar until sugar starts to dissolve.
- Add in popping corn, stir quickly, and cover with lid.
- Keep heat on high and shake pot over stove every 20-30 seconds to keep bottom from burning.
- Continue to pop until you only hear 1 kernel pop every 3 seconds. Turn off heat and carefully remove lid.
- Toss with 1 teaspoon salt and serve in large bowl.
- Cook Time: 5 mins
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