Party/Picnic/BBQ/Fiesta Recipes from www. EagleKnights.com

Luxury Caramel Nut Popcorn

Delicately glazed popcorn and fancy nuts. From Williams-Sonoma's Gifts From The Kitchen.  This stuff is addictive.

   3 quarts freshly popped corn (approximately 1/2 cup unpopped)
   1 cup unsalted roasted cashews
   1 cup salted roasted macadamia nuts
   1 cup whole almonds or pecan halves
   1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
   1/2 cup light corn syrup
   1/2 cup unsalted butter
   1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
   1/2 teaspoon salt
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract
   1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat the oven to 250 F.  Butter a large roasting pan.  Combine the popped corn and nuts in the prepared pan, mixing well.  Place in the oven while preparing the glaze.

In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, orange zest, and salt.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.  Boil for 4 minutes without
stirring.  Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla and baking soda. Gradually pour the glaze over the popped corn mixture, stirring to coat well.

Bake until dry; stirring occasionally, approximately 1 hour.  Remove from the oven.  Using a metal spatula, free the popcorn from the bottom of the pan.  Let cool completely in the pan.

Break into clumps.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Yield: about 4 quarts