Sweet and Salty Browned Butter Popcorn

This probably doesn’t qualify as a recipe so much as simply a good thing to make. The kids can even make the popcorn themselves with our old-school air popper. (This appliance deserves its own aside—it punches well above its $15 price and more than deserves its share of precious kitchen drawer space. Let’s just say I haven’t gotten an instant pot yet because I don’t “have” the space for it, but I’m happy to let this popcorn maker hog all the space it needs.) But back to the popcorn. It takes a total of about five minutes, it’s cost-effective, and IMHO tastes much better than the stuff out of the bag!

SWEET AND SALTY BROWN BUTTER POPCORN

Serves: 4-6 as a snack

INGREDIENTS

—1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels, or about 8 cups popped, plus oil if needed

—5 T butter

—1/2-1 tsp kosher salt

—1 T brown sugar. or honey

DIRECTIONS

Pop corn according to directions on the popcorn maker. Or, use a large heavy pot with a lid on medium high heat to pop the corn with 2T oil for about five minutes, covered, shaking the pot gently until all of the kernels are popped.

Meanwhile, place butter in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until lightly brown with a nutty aroma. Watch it closely so as not to burn it. Remove from heat immediately, stir in the brown sugar or honey and salt, and drizzle the mixture over the popcorn, stirring as you go. Taste and adjust seasoning, sprinkling more sugar and/or salt to your taste, or even adding up to 1 tsp of curry powder for a delicious variation. The possibilities are endless!

Our air popper, nestled in its well-deserved kitchen drawer space.