When I start to think about food for a trailer trip, the first thing my mind naturally gravitates to is snack food. I’m not quite sure why that is, but it always happens. Maybe it’s a throw back to when I was planning camping vacations or trips to our cabin with the kids. The children seemed to get along better when there was a little “something” they could eat to prevent what they claimed was eminent starvation! But regardless of the reason, the first food items that always top the list are the munchables. And popcorn brittle is one of the little nibbles I like to bring along on our trips. It is absolutely fabulous eaten late at night around a camp fire. It’s sweet and salty and perfect for a late night munch. Of course popcorn brittle will never take the place of s’mores*, especially the way Mr. C. and I make them, but it is still right there at the top of the list.
We also bring snacks for our evening celebration of the sun safely going over the yardarm (wherever we are the sun always goes over the yardarm at 5:00pm). So to enhance our daily ritual, I always pack flavored nuts, lovely cheeses, spreads and dips for crackers and chips, and assorted veggies. All of these items store well in either the refrigerator or the storage bins and help make our little celebratory “yardarm” tradition that much more enjoyable. (For those of you unfamiliar with the term “sun over the yardarm”, according to a post on Harbour Guides.com “The expression is believed to have originated in the north Atlantic where the sun would rise above the upper mast spars (yards) of square sailed ships around 11am. This coincided with the forenoon ‘stand easy’ when officers would go below and enjoy their first rum tot of the day. Eventually the phrase was adopted universally as meaning it is a suitable time to have an alcoholic beverage.”)
Now, before I get any comments asking whether we ever eat anything resembling “real” food on our trips; rest assured. We eat 3 squares a day that are pretty much just like what we would eat at home. We have salad every night, but instead of me cleaning all the veggies and making my own salad dressing, we usually just buy one of the “salads in a bag”. They are actually quite good and for ease of preparation, they can’t be beat. And wonder of wonder, they are available at even the most remote of locations. (Often times, salads in a bag are the only choice available if we want “fresh” vegetables! Sad, but true!) So along with our salad of the day, we share a piece of meat and another veggie or a pasta dish or chili. All the normal foods that make for happy campers (so to speak)!
So next time you head out on an adventure and want to take along a little something to keep both your energy and your families spirits in the happy zone, build a batch of this brittle. But be advised: if you have children, they are going to dive into this brittle faster than a marmot can dive underground when there is a fox in the area!
- 1 ½ c. sugar
- ½ c. light corn syrup
- ½ c. water
- 1 T. butter
- 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 10 cups plain popped corn (no added salt or butter)
- 1-2 c. cashews or peanuts, opt.
Line a baking sheet with foil; coat foil with cooking spray. Set aside. Mix sugar, corn syrup, and water in a medium large heavy sauce pan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. (I think a wooden spoon is the best implement for the task. It doesn’t conduct heat and candy gets very, very hot.) Cover pan, reduce heat slightly, and continue cooking for 3 minutes. (Don’t lift the lid during this time.) Remove lid and while stirring constantly, continue cooking for another 2-4 minutes or until candy turns a light golden brown. Remove from heat and carefully add butter, soda, and vanilla. (Candy will foam when you add the butter, soda, and vanilla.) Quickly stir in the popped corn and nuts. Spread on the prepared pan with the back of a wooden spoon coated with cooking spray. Allow to cool completely before breaking into serving size pieces. Store in an airtight container. (This is a variation of a recipe I found in Cooking Light.)
General rule: Don’t make candy when it’s raining. Candy “sets up” best when the humidity is low. So wait for a dry day so your brittle will be crisp, not chewy. And no, I don’t have any idea why humidity should make a difference. It just does!
*Bonus recipe for the ultimate adult s’more experience: squares of a Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate with Caramel bar and perfectly roasted, gooey centered, golden brown marshmallows sandwiched between really good graham crackers (none of this store brand substitute). Serve immediately with a side of your favorite bourbon. (Chocolate and bourbon were simply meant for each other!)