Sorghum Caramel Corn

Fact: I can’t eat popcorn in public…

No more like.. I don’t eat popcorn in front of strangers out in a public setting situation..  Is that the same?

There are numerous reasons why.

Mainly, I always end up looking like a Here ComesHoney Boo Boo family member walking around trying to get bits of whatnot outta of my teeth. 

It’s not cute.. not cute at all.. But I just can’t stand that feeling

So it’s rare that I get the opportunity to indulge myself in the kernel.

For fear of being in a constant state of frustration..

So this popcorn, or as my husband informed me a knock off of Cracker Jacks was crunched and munched on in the confines of mi casa and maybe in the dark around midnight once everyone had gone to bed..

But man oh man oh man.. it was worth it.. every irritating sweet sorghum, caramel popcorn kernel.

My grandmother never bought maple syrup. It was either molasses or sorghum for those pancakes or biscuits. So I have a bit of an addiction to both old fashioned sweeteners. This fancy popcorn pecan crunch delight is buttery, sweet and salty from the popcorn. Which is always the best combination.

Complete change of subject alert- So I started typing this post on Monday evening and told myself I would get back to it once I got back home on Tuesday evening.. and then this happened in my great city of Atlanta GA….

via AJC

 (source)

(Source)

I had this post all planned out but the events that have taken place over the last couple of days in Georgia make me want to crawl out of my skin. I sat on a highway for 8 hours!!! With a toddler,  ran out of food and drinks about 4 hours in.... it was bad..a very bad situation. Being that I experienced Hurricane Katrina on the front lines, like walking in water and watching your life’s belongings float away, I think I’m a good judge of disastrous situations.

One’s that could’ve been avoided.  But I’m not gonna go there..

Although I am going to tell you about the people of Atlanta.. the citizens of Georgia who pulled together and made the best of a truly catastrophic situation.

I’m dedicating this post to them.

The 2 guys who were walking up and down Highway 75 passing out coffee and hot chocolate.. (Highway 75 is a major highway in Atlanta. There were over 4,000+ people trapped on all of Atlanta's major highways, in their cars)

To my husband..who came to rescue me where we were stranded (by parking his truck off the exit ramp and walking to come get us). I have to brag, because he was amazing. 

The people who were opening their homes to complete strangers, offering food and shelter.

To the lady who started the Facebook page that helped 1000’s on us get home through updates, when our Major and Governor offered us nothing but excuses.

To Diane Stofel who passed out sandwiches and chips to motorist.

To my daughter and her friends who formed a group of 38 middle school kids to walk home when school officials told them there would be no school buses coming for them. (I’m so proud of her) All 38 kids made it home safe a sound in less than an hour. A close friend of mine's' daughter  (along with several other children) was trapped on a school bus until 1:15 am. It was a terrifying and unacceptable experience. 

One that was made better for many through random acts of kindness.  These were all acts that I witnessed, their were tons of others. CNN has a great account of some stories from motorist, some of them from their very own producers. The CNN building is less than a mile from my office in downtown Atlanta. This experience is one that I will never forget and I'm sure a lot of folks feel the same. 

Sorghum Caramel Popcorn

Prep Time- 20min  Cook Time- 1hr Yield- about 6- 8cups 

adapted from Southern Living Magazine 

Ingredients:

6-8 cups of plain popped popcorn

1 ½ cups pecans, halves

½ cup butter

1 ½ cup light brown sugar

½ cup sorghum syrup

1 ½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Add popcorn and pecans to a large, lightly greased bowl

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat. Stir in brown sugar, sorghum and salt. Bring to a boil stirring constantly for about 4 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla..

Pour sorghum mixture over popcorn pecan mixture, stirring until coated.  Divide the mixture amongst 2 baking sheet pans lined with parchment paper. (Spread in thin layers)

Bake at 250 for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes to avoid clumping.  Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.

Salty- Sweet Realness For Lyfe!