Best Windy City Pig Candy Popcorn Mix Recipes

Caramel and Cheddar Popcorn Mix image

Provided by Molly Yeh

Time 50m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
9 cups popcorn (from about 1/3 cup kernels)
3 tablespoons Cheddar cheese powder
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the pan
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
9 cups popcorn (from about 1/3 cup kernels)

Steps:

For the Cheddar popcorn: Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Remove from the heat and fold in the popcorn to coat. Sprinkle in the cheese powder and mustard powder. Fold together to evenly coat. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
For the caramel popcorn: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and generously spray with nonstick spray.
Wipe the large pot clean of any excess popcorn residue. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter to the same pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to let it boil, without stirring, until it turns a deep golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, vanilla and baking soda. Gently fold in the popcorn until well coated (spraying a rubber spatula works well, here!). Transfer the popcorn to the prepared baking sheet and bake until the caramel has melted around the popcorn and nicely coats the kernels all over, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, about 10 minutes. Break into pieces and add to the serving bowl.

Sweet, Spicy and Salty Candied Nut Mix image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Time 25m

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup blanched whole almonds
1/2 cup whole cashews
1/2 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts
1/2 cup whole pecans
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped

Steps:

Melt the butter and sugar in a large skillet over medium heat and add the salt. Add the almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, chili powder, cinnamon, cumin and cayenne. Cook until the sugar is melted and the nuts are fragrant, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the rosemary and toss. Immediately spread the nut mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cool completely, and then serve.

Pig Candy image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Place 2 cups light brown sugar in a pie dish. Gently press 12 to 14 slices of applewood-smoked bacon (not thick-cut) into the sugar until mostly coated. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack and spray with cooking spray. Arrange the bacon on the rack. Bake, rotating the pan halfway through baking, until the bacon is super crisp and golden, 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the thickness. Let cool on the rack.