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Popcorn Scramble

I don’t even know where to start to tell you about this recipe.  It is one that my friend, Marcy Howard, has made for all of us for many years.  It is also one we teach and share in Apples of Gold.

If you ever make it, it will become one of your favorite recipes, especially in the fall.  You could become know for it, your signature recipe.  It makes a foil turkey roasting pan full so there is lots to share.  We just moved to a new house, new neighborhood  and new friends to meet so I made a batch to share with them..  You know by now I am all about making dishes for your family and having some to share. Spreading  JOY!!!

We love it when our students from Apples of Gold let us know when they make one of the recipes from the classes.  This is one they make over and over.  On lots of occasions it has been made for out-of-town guest to have in their hotel rooms when they come in town for events like weddings.  Marcy makes it for her hairdresser, for the women at the nail salon, her neighbors and recently she went to a family reunion, so of course she made Popcorn Scramble for all of them.  I know you can buy something similar but this recipe is so much better because there aren’t any ingredients in it that  you can’t pronounce –  always a good thing.   There is no  need for additives for preserving it because it is gobbled up so fast.  

As we think about Thanksgiving and all we are thankful for, I hope you will make a batch of Popcorn Scramble and give it to someone who brings Joy to your life or to someone who needs some Joy in their life.  May God Bless you and grant you PEACE, MERCY and JOY this Thanksgiving as you give thanks to Him the giver of all good things.  

Joy Always, Cissy   

  I would love to hear from you about how your family loved this recipe and where you shared it.  Also what are you thankful for this year?  Please leave a comment.  

Ingredients for Popcorn Scramble
Chemical Reaction when adding baking soda and vanilla
Bagged and ready to give to friend

Popcorn Scramble

Buttery, toffee popcorn snack with optional nuts
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Snack
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 bags microwave popcorn – make sure to remove all un-popped kernels Orville Redenbacher Natural Light – Simply Salted 6.2 oz bags
  • 2 cups Cheerios
  • 2 cups Rice Chex
  • 1 cup Pecan pieces, optional
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light or dark corn syrup – "Karo Syrup"
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Method
 

  1. Combine first four ingredients in a large foil turkey roasting pan; toss gently and set aside.
  2. Melt butter in large saucepan (non-stick if you have one); stir in brown sugar and corn syrup
  3. Bring to a boil over low heat stirring constantly
  4. Once boiling cook without stirring for 5 minutes
  5. Remove from heat
  6. Stir in vanilla and baking soda (A chemical reaction will happen as you are stirring in the vanilla and baking soda).
  7. Pour over popcorn mixture; stir until mostly coated
  8. Bake at 250 degrees for one hour stirring every 15 minutes
  9. Cool and bread apart and store in airtight containers like clear bags

Notes

Measurements for Rice Chex and Cheerios Cereal doesn’t have to be exact. Start with 2 cups each and then add more of each to fill the pan.
Tidbit Tip:  After popcorn has cooled in turkey pan place your arms around the pan and bend turkey pan in all directions to help break up the popcorn scramble for bagging.
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Yellow Squash Soup

 Usually I think of yellow squash in the summer, but I also think about them when there is a hint of fall in the air and knowing winter is right on its heels.  I always start making soup and chill.  This soup is so easy and so delicious.  Last week I shared a post about a Breast Cancer Luncheon that my best friend Marcy and I hosted.   We served this soup with cheese straws on the side.  It was a big hit and so many wanted the recipe I thought I really should put it on the blog.  So here you go!!!  We also make this for 65 people for our Celebration Dinner for Apples of Gold.  So it works great to double or triple the recipe.  We have people tell us they don’t like squash but they really like this soup.  So make it and they will eat it!!!  If you are like me you are watching what you eat and trying to make some of your tried and true recipes more healthy.  I used coconut milk instead of whipping cream and saved a lot of fat. It did not change the texture or the taste.  You can also adjust the Cayenne pepper to your taste.  If you like it spicy/hot add more but remember you will be adding some paprika on the top.  I hope you will make this “warm me up” Yellow Squash Soup and make an extra batch to bring joy to someone you know.

Yellow Squash Soup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 10
Course: Soup
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 2 carrots sliced, I used 2 cups pre-cut carrots
  • 4 cups yellow squash sliced, about 8 squash
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red (cayenne) pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup whipping cream, or 1 can coconut milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Paprika for garnish

Method
 

  1. In a 4-quart saucepan, melt butter
  2. Add onion, sauté until wilted and transparent, about 5 minutes
  3. Add potatoes, carrots and squash; toss to coat with butter
  4. Add flour all at once; stir to combine
  5. Cook over medium heat 3-4 minutes, stirring
  6. Slowly stir in broth
  7. Season to taste with salt and cayenne pepper
  8. Cover, cook until all vegetables are fork tender, about 45 minutes
  9. Puree soup in batches in blender, food processor or with immersion hand blender in the pot
  10. When all soup has been pureed, return to soup pot
  11. Stir in cream or coconut milk. Taste for seasonings, adjust if necessary
  12. Heat through
  13. Stir in nutmeg; cook 3 to 4 minutes
To Serve
  1. Ladle hot soup in bowls. Sprinkle paprika onto top of soup and use a spoon to gently stir through soup creating an attractive marble patter,

Notes

To Store:  Soup base (before cream is added)  may be pureed, cooled and frozen up to 1 month.  Thaw base in refrigerator, bring to boil.  Reduce heat, add cream.  Enjoy!

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Thursday Tidbit – Honey Lemon/Lime Vinaigrette

Honey Lemon/Lime Vinaigrette

Refreshing light, sweet and tart salad dressing
Print Recipe
Servings: 3 cups
Course: Salad
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 3/4 cup honey ( more if you like it sweeter)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar or Splenda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • parsley flakes

Method
 

  1. Wisk all ingredients together. Refrigerate

Notes

Remember change anything you like but keep the oil to vinegar ratio.
You could use 3/4 cup olive oil and 3/4 cup canola oil.
You could add minced garlic, some herbs for an herbal dressing with less sweetener.
Go for it and let me know your favorite combination.
I do appreciate you, my readers, and love hearing from you.  Thanks for following Tidbits of Joy.  Blesssings. 
 

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Thursday Tidbit:  You don’t have to follow a recipe exactly. You can even change the ingredients.

I know because this past week my best friend, Marcy Howard, and I hosted a Breast Cancer Survivor’s Luncheon.  We served Yellow Squash Bisque, it will be on the blog soon, Chicken Salad, croissant rolls and an amazing dessert that we purchased.  We served the chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens surrounded by grape tomatoes, sliced hearts of palms, sliced cucumbers and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.  When I thought about the salad dressing I wanted something a little sweet but also with a citrus flavor.  I remembered a Lemon Vinaigrette recipe that we use for Apples of Gold so I started with that.  I added and changed several ingredients but left the oil to vinegar ratio the same.  Changing the ratio could cause your dressing to be too oily or too tart.  I just kept adding ingredients till I got the flavor I liked. Now my taste is probably different from yours you might like it sweeter or maybe not.  Starting with a basic recipe and changing it to your taste makes cooking personal and fun.

The luncheon was such an uplifting time.  Marcy had set her table with a beautiful fall theme.  I love fall colors don’t you? The women at the luncheon were so inspiring with their testimonies and the stories of their journey with breast cancer.  We all know someone who has battled this devastating disease.  Yet at the same time there are so many survivors helping the next one to make it through. They extend hope and peace to each other.  I have not had breast cancer but I was with Marcy every step of the way through her treatment so I am a co-survivor.  I know there are many of you who are doing the same.  Each woman there said they had to depend on God for their strength and that they felt His presence in every decision and treatment they went through.  They were so thankful for the support of their families, friends and fellow Christian brothers and sisters.  Now they are giving back by mentoring other women just starting the journey, they are going back to radiation centers and talking and praying with patients, one young woman is starting a blog to encourage young women to be aware that breast cancer is not just for women over 50.  She was 31 when diagnosed and feels her age group needs a voice and she is seeking God’s direction on how she can be that voice.  I could go on and on how they are using such a hard thing in their life to be such a source of joy now as they help others who are put in their path.  I pray that God through man will provide the cure.

Happy Thursday –– Try the Honey Lemon/Lime Vinaigrette on your next salad and feel free to change it up. It will be “The Best You Ever Made”

PS:  I am so glad to be back blogging.  This year I changed jobs after 27 years at one Dental Office to help a young dentist start a new practice and that has been a big project but I love a project.  Bill and I built a new home and moved the middle of September another great big project so Tidbits of Joy got put on the back burner.    I can’t wait to share pictures of our new kitchen and blog some yummy fall recipes.