Caramel Popcorn

This is a great recipe because it only calls for a couple of ingredients, and you probably already have everything you need.  When you're out of everything, and you're longing for something simple and sweet, this is the perfect munchie for you and your buddies.  Thanks to Allrecipes.Com for the original recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup (I used Karo syrup)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 quarts popped popcorn

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C). 
2. Pop your popcorn and place it in a very large bowl.  Like, the biggest one you have.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring 4 minutes. 
4. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda and vanilla. Don't keep boiling while you add in the baking soda, or you'll ruin the whole thing! I learned this the hard way.
5. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, and stir until well-coated.
6. Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into smaller pieces.
7. Hide the remnants so you don't eat it all in one sitting.

Popcorn Poppers

I have come to the conclusion that I LOVE popcorn poppers. Although the popper itself will run you anywhere from $20-$40 (Bed Bath and Beyond's were at $20, while WalMart was at $30), popcorn seeds themselves are really cheap... Like a couple bucks for a bag.  And the bag will last you a very long time.  Also, I think it goes without saying that the taste difference between microwave popcorn and homemade is incredible.
Here's the recipe for popcorn using one of these poppers.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt
• 2 tbsp butter

Directions (The popper should come with these, but I'll give it to you anyway)

1. Pour the vegetable oil into the popper, along with the kernels.
2. Turn your stove on medium heat, and begin turning the handle immediately.
3. After a few minutes, the kernels will begin to pop. 
4. Continue turning until the handle becomes hard to turn.
5. Remove the popper from the heat, and pour the popcorn into a large bowl.
6. Take 2 tbsp of butter and melt it in the microwave.
7. Pour it over the popcorn while stirring with a large spoon.
8. Then add salt--as much as you want.