Not many remember this little jingle I am sure "candy coated popcorn peanuts and a prize..." so in honor of another dying treat from my youth (well its not really dying it just isnt as popular) I decided to venture into to the land of candied popcorn. While I have mentioned that my son does not eat candy, per se, he does eat sweets and these sweets do have sugar so we are not as 'healthy' as we sound. Since I do cook, duh, he gets to eat all kinds of things and as a special treat I make him special treats and special treats, even though sugarfied, are better than any old candy any day.
Popcorn balls are/were a bake sale staple when I was a kid - I am not so sure about now and even more certain that they are NOT in NYC since the Mayor banned bake sales in public schools to try and combat child obesity - I know - great idea right! (click the link and read the article in the NY Times)
Chances are that even though you might have had a popcorn ball you have not had one like this. Peanut butter popcorn balls with fresh vanilla bean sugar and a touch of ground mulato chile (just to keep it real). The chile and peanut butter go so well together that they balance the sweetness of the over all treat and the vanilla beans just smooth the whole ride down.
This is my 300th post of the year which means I have 41 more to go to reach 1000 posts over all - looks like the train is getting near the station.
31 comments:
Happy 300th post!
These are a blast from my past for sure. They used to even sell these at Halloween, wrapped in cellophane.
W00T for 300!!
Popcorn balls are fun. I love cracker jacks, too. Once in a while I'll buy a bag or two. Though, I would love to get them in the box form, for old times sake.
300! That's so awesome. You are a king at knocking out good posts. Um adding pb to the popcorn is smart! We'll def be making more popcorn balls, and that's a good idea.
hey now!
chile: oh yes, smart man.
a school in Suffolk County just banned all "home treats" in classrooms.... no more birthday cupcakes! all snacks have to be of a list of approves "healthy" snacks (all processed crap)
GAH. Ok, rant over. These popcorn bals look fabu! Love the peanut butter and chili. I haven't had a popcorn ball in ages...
kenny: thanks bud
linda: totaly memory lane arent they
jenn: thanks - and popcorn balls are fun especially exotic ones
duo: thats so nice of you to say - and after checking - you guys made some nice popcorn balls yourselves
dawn: everythings better with chile!
LK: these 'bannings' make no sense - none!
I want one!! NOW!!
I do remember the song! Sad - I feel old now. My Grandpa always had boxes of cracker jack's waiting for us when we went to visit. The peanuts in them were sooo yummy. These popcorn balls look much better!
DB, how perfect for the upcoming Halloween festivities. Most people are opting to having at-home parties as opposed to going out door-to-door. This would make a very special (old or not) treat for everyone. Happy Halloween.
Wow, this is the 2nd popcorn ball post I've read tonight. Is this an emergent zeitgeist? Anyway, happy 300th and here's to many more.
"...that's what you get in Cracker Jacks!"
Yeah, we're about as old as each other.
And banning bake sales to combat obesity? Gimme a break. Teach parents to cook nutritious meals and not buy twinkies and hohos.
I recently passed post 600. Makes me wonder exactly what the hell I had to say and why anyone read it!
300 posts this year, wow! These popcorn balls sound terrific with vanilla sugar & chile!
Happy 300th post, this looks like a fun treat!
Hooray!
debby puts cayenne pepper in everything. sounds gross but she's a chef so i trust her. like i'd trust you wtih chile in popcorn balls. aaaaah ,popcorn balls. i remember them fondly.
Okay, I like popcorn balls...but these sound insane!! I definitely want to try some with some pb & chile...and vanilla beans...wowza. Almost 1000...you're da man.
Popcorn balls are such a fun treat. I'd love to taste this "Christo Creation." Long live bake sales!
300 posts - man, you must be exhausted!!! I'm hearing more and more about the banning of bake sales. Seems sad that the schools are having to do the job that parents aren't doing well.
I do remember that jingle which gives you an idea of my age :-)
What, pray tell, is childhood without popcorn balls? Wow! I love them! And lucky son for having such a dad as you are to make him these gorgeous popcorn balls! Love the flavors you blended together!
And happy 300th!
Used to see them everywhere..people even gave them out as treats on Halloween, before they started coming with razor blades..
happy 300th! way to go!
those popcorn balls look like a lot of fun! great childhood memories!
popcorn balls... Remember that neighbor that gave these out for Halloween!!!
and what an accomplishment, 300 amazing posts
I had forgotten about this childhood staple, but the other day my son came home from school raving about these cool popcorn balls the bus driver made for them. He's a fan for life.
Happy Halloween Weekend!!
--snow
Now, that is some jacked-up popcorn balls. Very grown-up and cool.
Congrats on your 300th post!
OMG, there's chili and peanut butter in there?! Swoon!
Congrats on hitting 300 ... here's looking forward to the next 41!!
We used to make colored popcorn balls every year for Christmas. We would wrap them in wax paper and put them in the tree. We would usually snatch them out of the tree and eat them well before Christmas :)
Don't worry! Everything old is new again...it will come back.
My gran used to make something similar-but with puffed rice and jaggery.
Holy crap! 1000 posts?! I'm dead after 31/29! I love the sound of these! I think childhood obesity might be cured if they had more bake sales and more exercise in schools!
I am a popcorn freak-o. It's my favorite snack. I make popcorn balls at Christmas and might just have to try this in the mix.
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