When I was shopping for Passover this year I came across a yummy (Kitniyot) snack. We don’t ever use Kitniyot when we are preparing meals because we often have guests who don’t eat it but when it comes to snacks for the family, it’s fair game.

This year, I bought my usual 2 bags of Bamba but also found this yummy, unexpected treat – Osem’s Popco. It was really amazing and the perfect snack to take along with us when we went to see The Croods during the break.

I had only purchased 2 bags (and they are small bags) so I sent the hubbie to the store today to see if he could find more. No such luck. So then I went online to see if I could order a few bags … that’s how addicted I am to this popcorn.

But instead of placing an order, I came across an interesting blog post called “What snack food corporations don’t want you to know.” It’s not new information to me … snacks cause us and our kids to get fat. I’ve heard it all before but this post was a good reminder so I hit the cancel my order button and decided to give this blog author’s homemade Caramel Popcorn recipe a try instead.

Thanks Sarah from Food Bridge for the reminder that homemade is almost always better tasting and better for us:

Gourmet Caramel Popcorn

1/2 cup popcorn

3 tablespoons canola or peanut oil (high smoke point)

100 grams butter

1/2 brown sugar

1/2 salt

1/4 cup honey, maple, date or carob syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Make the popcorn as directed above.

In a small pot, melt the butter and add the sugar, salt and honey and mix until everything is dissolved. Do not let it caramelize. Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and mix until everything is well coated. Spread a thin mixture on a parchment paper lined baking tray and bake at 170°C for 20-30 minutes or until it becomes golden. Mix once or twice during baking to ensure they are evenly baked.

But … with all that said, I still loved the Popco and will probably … most definitely … buy it again next Passover : )

Happy Kosher Treif Cooking!