Caramel Corn (and Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole)

This year for my church's annual Christmas banquet I was in charge of food organization again. It was a full turkey dinner, with potatoes, yams, corn and lots and lots of dessert! For dessert we had lots of different snacks, most of which I have posted recipes for already, including Turtles and Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cups. However, one of the things I have not posted the recipe for is my Caramel Corn!

1 cup butter
1 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup popcorn
1 cup nuts (optional, I prefer pecans)

Pop the popcorn. Preheat the oven to 250. Grease a very large cookie sheet, or two smaller cookie sheets. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until dissolved. Bring to a boil, without stirring. Remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda. Stir gradually into popcorn (and nuts). Toss together, covering all the popcorn and nuts.

Bake for 1 hour, turning every 15 minutes.


I also made a Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole, which was also quite popular.

3 cups Broccoli and Cauliflower (half and half, or ratios as you like)
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
1 egg
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Cook (steam) broccoli and cauliflower. Preheat oven to 350. Mix with onion, egg, mayonnaise and half of the cheese. Spread in a shallow casserole dish and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.