Dinner Tonight: Coconut Curry Caramel Corn
There’s no mistake. This was dinner tonight. Well, at least for the grownups.
I got an email from Pea Daddy this morning that said he has to make an appearance at a City Council meeting this evening.
Actually, that’s not all his email said. Pea D, you now owe me $3 for the Swear Jar. And I will not wear Gigi’s pirate hat later on.
As devoted to family dinners as he is, Pea D rushed home early to eat with the girls before he headed off to the meeting on behalf of a client. But before matter is on the docket, he gets to bear witness to the neighbor who sews pockets onto his sweatpants arguing why he should not have to cut back his hedges just because a boy scout troop got lost walking past his house last week.
Good times.
But I hadn’t planned on making an early dinner, I’d planned on making caramel corn.
And thus, dinner was born.
Do you know what the best kind of caramel corn is?
The kind you don’t have to share.
Adding hot sauce to keep the girls out wasn’t an option. But curry was.
And for good measure, a little coconut. It’s like Gigi-repellent.
Dinner is served.
Coconut Curry Caramel Corn
Makes 8-10 cups
- 1/2 c. popping corn
- 3 T. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 1 T. coconut oil
- 1/2 c. brown sugar
- 2 T. maple syrup
- 1 t. curry powder
- 1/2 t. salt + additional for sprinkling
- 1/2 t. coconut extract
Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and having it at the ready.
Pop corn using an air popper or the old paper bag in the microwave trick.
I’m out of paper bags. And staples. And someone should really clean my microwave.
Set your corn aside in a large bowl, after letting your kid or dog (or kid dressed as a dog) eat the random popped kernels off the kitchen floor.
Place a saucepan over medium high heat and melt margarine and coconut oil together.
Add brown sugar, maple syrup, curry and salt and bring to a low boil over medium heat.
Once the mixture has come to a boil, stop stirring it and let it boil unstirred for three minutes. Do not boil longer or your sugar will burn.
After three minutes, stir in coconut extract and working quickly, pour caramel mixture over your popped corn.
Quickly stir popcorn so that as many kernels as possible are coated with the delicious caramel before it sets.
Pour popcorn out onto your prepared baking sheet to cool.
Store any leftover caramel corn in an airtight container.
Ha ha ha. Leftover caramel corn. I kill myself.
Or, thanks to Pea Daddy, after tonight’s meeting, I might have a crazed-town citizen to do it for me.
Though really, they’re more likely to target him than me. I kind of feel sorry for the guy.
I know. I’ll save him some caramel corn for dessert.
And maybe even serve it in a pirate hat.
This looks so gooooood! So funny you are a total Trader Joe’s addict like me! And I <3 your blog and you mission – I am a new follower and just wanted to say Hi!
Hi back! Yes, we just got a Trader Joe’s and I’m in love. Thanks for reading and saying hello!
Hehe, “Gigi-repellent.” Funny.
And you gotta love city council meetings. Great outlet for the crazies.
I keep getting texts with all the updates. It’s better than anything that’s on TV.
ummm, “your” mission. lol
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
THERE ARE INFINITY.
How delish!!! Anyone else getting a midnight cravings for popcorn?
Do. It.
heading to the kitchen now….
You mean it’s not as fun as on Parks and Rec?!
I love you for saying that.
I sent this to Pea D today and then laughed so hard I nearly choked on a popcorn kernel.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Parks_and_Recreation
I LOVE Parks and Rec. My friend sent me a picture of Leslie’s Pawnee book from our local B and N. Ha. Ha. It’s actually a book. The popcorn sounds good, too, of course.
Ron Swanson may just be the best character of all time.
Have you seen this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXhJPey3i_A
Hah, I love that the employee stays so chipper!
I loved that episode. Ron is the best. I scream laugh through most of the shows that are focused on him. The Tammy’s, the mustache, the meat and egg obsession. He’s the best. This post has reminded me of a popcorn paper bag story that I must share at my blog. It actually involves a man who looks a little like Ron on one of his bad days. Ha. Ha. Thanks for the laughs.
I still think Parks & Rec is one of the funniest shows ever. I love “lit*rally” everything about it.
Oh poor Pea Daddy! He sounds like he has had a really rough day! A kid got lost in a neighbor’s bushes and the neighbor doesn’t see a problem? That’s crazy. Yeah I think you should definitely wear the pirate hat! ;p
I meant to serve the popcorn in the pirate’s hat. Sicko.
I love curry – and coconut, but for some reason, this really sounds gross to me. :/
I’m sure it’s wonderful though – because every recipe of yours is!
I promise you…it is GOOOOOOOOD.
Oooh – popcorn for supper – love it. We’ve started a tradition of having popcorn (I make a wicked Kettlecorn) on Sunday’s for supper so i don’t have to “cook”. Yesterday, we had it with safe Orange Sorbet that I found for my kids. Sometimes we serve it with pop (yep, pop) or smoothies, or hot chocolate. My kids LOVE it! You should have heard them telling their friends what they had for dinner yesterday – too cute! My kids’s friends asked if they could come for Sunday dinner!
Can I come over on Sunday too?
Omg this looks crazy good. I love popcorn and caramel so much that I have Popcorn Board on Pinterest. Yes, I do.
And I love that after you make the brown sugar curry caramel mixture that you just dump it on and that’s it. Most recipes I see, after that stage, they then bake it for about another 20-30 mins or so, tossing and flipping, tossing and stirring in the oven…which if all that can be avoided (as you have clearly demonstrated it can be)…then I love your method and recipe even more.
And I never have leftover popcorn either.
Pin us, pin us, pin us!!!
This looks delicious, I must try this!
I hope you do!
I had a very Pea-centric dinner. First time making the butternut squash fries and thirdies or fourthies time making the white bean yukon gold basil burgers. I discovered that I do not own a sharp knife when field dressing the huge squash and exactly what you meant in reserving the round part. I reserved it for the rabbit on the off chance she would like the seedy part. We’ll see how her treat bin looks in the morning.
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Your recipes make my food-based life. Please continue FOREVER at being awesome.
Ha ha, thanks Kayla! I’m so glad you liked your Pea Meal!
For serious and for trues, where does this stuff come from!? Do you wake up at night thinking of these things? I am amazed. Lucky P Daddy, that is all Im gunna say.
I got way excited reading this, because I have a maple-syrup-curry-powder popcorn recipe on my blog too! It also has cayenne and ground…ROSEMARY in, and despite how wierd that sounds, it is absolutely amazing. (Also on nuts) Make sure you grind the rosemary or you’ll get herby needles in your teeth, and it might detract from the experience?
http://lovinleaves.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/helloooo-sweet-spicey-somewhat-smokey-popcorn/
That’s so cool! I’m glad that you know what I’m talking about here…a few people have been perplexed by the flavor combos
Who would have thought? Caramel and curry? I totally have an air popcorn popper in the pantry that has NEVER been used. I need to get that OUT!
Why do I have a feeling you’re wearing a pirate hat right now? ha! Just kidding.
I assure you, I’m not
Hello Mrs.Pea!
I’ve tried to make this before a couple weeks ago, but my popcorn got all soggy and never dried out! How do you keep it crispy?
With Veggie Love, Nixie
You obviously used a different recipe, so I can’t speak to exactly what happened. If you boil the caramel long enough, it should set when you pour it rather than soak in.
I’m reading this in the middle of the night and momentarily contemplating trying to go out and get some popcorn kernels so I can make this RIGHT NOW. I…might wait a little longer. But, oh, wow.
Let me know if you make it!
I did it! I changed it up a little since the only coconut ingredient I had was coconut milk, and it came out sooooo delicious. Thank you SO MUCH!! http://wp.me/phEgr-46
Intrigued by this combo…
Yummy! Caramel at home scares me a bit. I add coconut as a husband repellent. I think he is catching on though because more and more he eating my treats.
Caramel is a little scary, especially vegan caramel. It never quite sets right, but it still works, you know?
Popcorn is totally acceptable for dinner ; ) at least in my eyes!
Happy Tuesday love!
Im so excited for our Trader Joe’s to open here!!!
xoxo
Oh.MY! I think I am going to need to make this. And soon!
Nothing beats homemade popcorn! My parents make it with habanero sea salt and truffle oil!! AMAZING!
Now THAT sounds amazing!
Hmmm…..but how did you keep them from eating the popcorn BEFORE you put the “Gigi-repellant” ingredients on it? My kids are popcorn addicts. By the time I would be ready to pour on the good stuff, it would be all gone!
Gigi was at school and Lulu was strangely disinterested.
i would gobble this up and i don’t even like popcorn! it’s heather repellent, which nate loves
This sounds SO good Mama Pea! I was at the Ferry Building markets in SF on the weekend and there was a popcorn vendor there with a curry-flavoured popcorn, but I love the coconut twist on yours. I’ve been on a BIG popcorn kick lately (yay for whole grains!) and made some pumpkin pie-spiced popcorn last week (http://wp.me/pSUCS-2I5). It was divine, and your recipe is next on my list!
I almost made pumpkin spice but thought I needed to back off the pumpkin for a day
The combination of salty and sweet is amazing on popcorn. Whole Foods recently started carrying apple crisp popcorn (I know, I know). The first two ingredients are organic evaporated cane juice and corn syrup. SO worth it for the taste of that baby, though.
Oh no, looks like I’m headed to Whole Foods.
Ohh, yesterday night I wanted something salty and kept thinking about popcorn. Now I open your blog early morning and see this, I am definitely popping some kernels today!!
The combo of curry + coconut sounds delicious Mama Pea!
Ana
I hope you try it…you’ll love it!
Oh noooo. No no no no no. Caramel popcorn. The reason I blame for my freshman 10. We ate caramel popcorn every stinkin night at midnight while studying. My mouth says yes but my hips say no! (All said with good fun, no eating do issues people.)
I love the disclaimer
I love you for making a meal out of popcorn. That is just sometimes necessary. My mom and I demolish the huuuuge bag of Angie’s Kettle Corn from Costco every time. We even find excuses to make the half hour trip once a week….I know it’s the popcorn alluring us
You may have saved us from an $$$ addiction!
They sell kettle corn at Costco? Uh oh.
What a good idea – I love this combo of flavors.
Gigi-repellent – snort! ha ha ha! Hilarious!
Your coffee recipeas are brilliant, by the way. I used French Vanilla Coconut creamer with 1/8 tsp. of extract (almond one time, orange another) – it was heaven!!!
Yay! I’m glad you are enjoying them!
Why didn’t I think of caramel popcorn for dinner…oh right my kids would have hounded my @ss until I gave it up. I need to figure out what their repellant is so that I can save my treats.
Thanks for such a delicious combination.
Ha ha ha! Why are they so good at hounding?
I don’t usually like flavored pop corn, but this looks yummy!
Who knew one needed pockets on sweatpants? They must be more than his lounge wear…
Girl, they are everyday wear! Literally.
I guess taking a picture and posting it would be considered, well, impolite? Maybe you can sneak them in a background scene
That sounds wonderful! I bet the curry gives it a really nice flavor. We love snacking on popcorn.
If that crazed citizen comes around, just shove coconut curry caramel corn in his face. I’ll he’ll change his mind about everything after eating that! Good food does amazing things
Don’t I know it? Pea Daddy has to stick around for a reason, and it sure ain’t pirate hats!
Wait a second….were you talking about sex??
Absolutely NOT!
seriously?? I am not into sweet popcorn at all. Well, that is what I thought until now!! Must make this ASAP.
Hahaha – I’ve had many a kettlecorn dinner night myself. Truthfully, I think you were nothing but a dutiful wife just to save him some of this. I can’t say I would be able to do the same. Looks incredible
As a side note hot sauce on popcorn is pretty much the best thing ever. Air popped pop corn mixed with chocolate chips and covered in hot sauce = amazing.
Okay, now I want to try this…
OMG it is so good. It’s the only way I eat popcorn now. Don’t put all the hot sauce on at once though unless you like your popcorn a little soggy. I kind of put more as I go.
Ohhhhh popcorn:):):) In argentina, my best friend and i would have huge bowls of popcorn for dinner while we watched movies instead of grading papers lol. Some of the Argentine teachers should us how to make it by putting the oil, kernels, and sugar all in the pot at the same time. It was a mess to clean up put it was so good!!
I love the idea of curry and caramel together. Good idea with that combo!
i sure hope the meeting was at least as entertaining as one on Parks and Rec. If so, that wouldn’t be so bad
this looks awesome! i’ve got to try using coconut oil on my popcorn.
He said there was a Ron Swanson doppelganger. He wouldn’t send me a pic.
no picture? that’s just not fair.
I have three popcorn recipes written out to make this week AND one has curry!! But, it’s a savory curry popcorn. Definitely wouldn’t have thought to make it sweet. This sounds perfect! I always use coconut oil for our popcorn. It’s the best!
I’m excited to see what you do!
i love me some popcorn. so do my dogs. and so will your future rescued mutt (or pit bull mix).
We are looking for a small breed. This could take awhile.
ps: since I am asking a few other people this, I am curious why I have one of your reader subscriptions that is a whole post and one that is partial (I think from VVC)? i would click to the webpage anyhow but I am just curious about it. thanks.
You are getting two posts in your reader?
Maybe even 3. I’m a big fan.
curry in caramel?!?! I never would have thought of that!! I’m totally making popcorn for dinner
I just made caramel popcorn at home for the first time Saturday. How ironic? I used a pumpkin pie spice and pepitas instead of coconut though. This curry coconut combo sounds amazing. I can’t wait to try it.
YUM! I have never commented before, but this looks delicious and unusual enough that I had to leave my 2 cents. I wonder if my husband could get his mind around the curry+popcorn combo… I’d probably just have to serve it to him and not tell him what’s in it.
Ha ha…thanks for coming out of hiding! The truth is, once you taste the popcorn, you won’t want to share it anyway!
Popcorn with butter and hot sauce is a staple in our household (Valentinas hot sauce – we use it by the gallon). We have more popcorn and wine dinner than I should admit to.
Ha ha, wine. I knew I was forgetting somethign!
This looks absolutely amazing!! I’m on a huge coconut kick right now–so this sounds like perfection
I’ll clean your microwave if you make me this for dinner!
this looks awesome! the one time not having a microwave sucks (have you ever tried making popcorn in a pot on a stove? I fail miserably every time!)
I fail too. I always burn it!
I’m always to excited to eat my popcorn once it’s done popping so I never do anything fun with it
but popping it in coconut oil is the bestest, butteriest thing ever. Ps I made your pumpkin protein bars last night and I’m in love. I added chocolate chips of course. The texture is perfect!
I’m so glad you liked the bars! I’m making another batch as we speak!
Such a great combination of flavors for popcorn! I’ll have to make it this weekend
This popcorn was awesome! I didn’t have coconut extract, so I used vanilla and added about a half cup of shredded coconut. soooo good!
The best part of it was that it was “family repellant” so the whole thing is mine!!!! yummmmmmmm!!! Thanks Ms Pea! 
I thought about adding coconut–you rock! (I’m so glad you liked it and that your family didn’t!)
sounds divine. can’t wait to find a paper bag. i’ve already got everything else. Xo!
p.s. the bourbon vanilla extract at TJ’s is a must next time. you’ve gotta try it at least once. i swear it’s magically delicious. perhaps it’s the bourbon in the name that makes it memorable?
Oh, that’s my favorite. I was just out and hadn’t made it to TJ’s for my 3rd trip of the week.
Not a curry fan, but I may attempt this as a salted caramel popcorn recipe. I think I need to check the thrift store for an air popper ASAP.
Fact #1: I went and bought popcorn after I saw this post.
Fact #2: I’m not kidding.
Ha ha ha. I hope it was good.
I’ve rarely encountered anything with curry that I didn’t like. This sounds unusual, and yummy.
Sounds so good! A must try! Thanks
Some of my fav things all together. I’m so trying this!
This is AWESOME!!!!! I’ve also made at least 10 recipes out of your book since I bought it a month ago, and I’m loving it! thank you!
Thanks, Lisa, I’m so glad!