Now, before you freak, yes, it is possible to make your own microwave popcorn with just kernels, a brown lunch bag and two staples (I read about from Alton Brown, my cooking inspiration!) and no the staples don't catch the microwave on fire or anything. This is how I always make it now- never had a problem, except when the bag once got caught on the wall, which kept it from turning, so it burned. My microwave still smells. Blah!
Carmel Popcorn and Peanuts (like the one in the March 2009 All You)
-1/3 c. unpopped popcorn kernels
-1 c. peanuts
-1 1/2 c. sugar
-2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
-2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
-1 tsp. vanilla
-1 tsp salt
Put kernels into a brown paper bag (lunch bag type) and fold it down about an inch (I do it a second time too). Staple it twice, in a row, to keep it shut. Microwave on high on your popcorn setting. Pour into a large bowl and add peanuts.
In a large pot, mix 1/4 c water, sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over med.-high heat. Reduce to med and cook without stirring until it is a light amber color, 4-6 min. I think I did it a little too long because it was pretty hard.
Remove pot from heat and stir in butter, vanilla and salt. Pour carmel over popcorn and nuts and stir until completely and evenly coated. Scrape mixture onto a prepared baking sheet (with parchment paper or foil) and let cool before breaking into pieces.
Movie: Redbox!! For those of you who don't know much about redbox, it's pretty cool and very easy. You find a redbox location (usually outside Walmarts, Giant Eagles, etc). Browse through their movie selection (not the best, has a lot of garbage, but some good ones too) and pick your movie. Add it to your cart and check out.
All you need is a debit or credit card to swipe. It costs $1-$2/night and it's due the next day at 9PM at any Redbox location. Redbox is cool because there are a TON of promo codes out there for a free movie. You can go here to see all the promo codes. So, popcorn and a movie for very cheap!
Check out other money saving Frugal Friday tips over here!
4 comments:
We love free Redbox Mondays! My family loves watching movies and eating popcorn. I might have to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Great idea! Popcorn recipe sounds like a winner, too!
Awesome idea!
I like it so much, I shared it on my site and linked everything back to you. Check out the post here: http://fourcrazychildren.blogspot.com/2010/01/popcorn-and-movie-on-budget.html.
Thanks for sharing such a great idea during these hard economic times. I can not wait to make the popcorn and try the Redbox codes...
Check me out over at www.fourcrazychildren.blogspot.com.
I found your post on the Frugal Friday Linky.
Yum! My husband would go bonkers for this. I'm going to have to give it a try. :D
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