Best 2 State Fair Kettle Corn Recipes

KETTLE CORN

Steps:

• Mix the salt and sugar, set aside: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and salt, and stir with your finger to combine. Set aside.
• Heat oil, pop test kernels: Place a medium to large stockpot (at least 5 quarts) with a tight-fitting lid over medium high heat. Add the vegetable oil and 3 to 4 kernels of popcorn. Secure the lid.
• Add popcorn and seasonings, stir to coat: Once the test kernels begin to pop, add the rest of the popcorn, along with the sugar and salt mixture. Stir quickly with a wooden spoon to combine (skip this step and you risk the sugar burning).
• Shake the pot: Quickly replace the lid and continue cooking, constantly shaking the pot. At first there won't be any popping, but in less than a minute, the popcorn will begin to pop. Remove from heat when you smell a whiff of caramel, or the popping slows to 1 second between pops.
• Empty kettle corn into bowl, let cool briefly: Moving swiftly, turn the popcorn into a serving bowl and let it cool a few minutes. If there's some melted or burned sugar residue in the pot, add a few cups of water, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes to dissolve the sugar; dump the hot water down the sink, and your pot should be in much better shape.
• Pick out unpopped kernels, then enjoy: Before you dig in, sort through the kettle corn and pick out as many unpopped kernels as you can. A few stragglers often stick to clusters of the popped kernels. Serve warm, or, for maximum crunch and flavor, at room temperature. The kettle corn will keep three to four days in a tightly covered container.

COUNTY FAIR KETTLE KORN

Steps:

• You will need a large cooking pot. It should have a wide opening and be slightly shallow ( large, deep soup pots don't work as well.) Make sure you have a lid that fits!
• Place 2/3 cup popcorn inside pot. The pot will be the perfect size if the popcorn just barely covers the entire bottom of the pot in one layer.
• Stir in 1/3 cup oil of your choice and cover with the lid. Heat over ( MEDIUM for electric range, MED-LOW for gas ) range, giving the pot a good shake every 60 seconds or so, until you hear the first kernel pop.
• Carefully uncover and add the 1/4 cup white sugar, stir and re-cover with the lid. Shake the pot every 20-30 seconds until popping slows to 2-3 pops every few seconds.
• Remove from heat and dump into large mixing bowl. While hot and sticky, salt to taste, stirring well.
• Enjoy!