Comfort and joy

It’s New Year’s Eve, and we’re keeping it simple.  This month has been a blur – a real emotional doozy!  And as far as I’m concerned – it’s out with the old (oh – the door is hitting you on the butt 2012 – oh well, good riddance) and in with the new.  Welcome beautiful 2013!

My new year resolution is to keep it simple and keep it focused.  To remember to listen to my heart, play to my strengths, and stick with what works.  I’m convinced that the simplest of things can provide the greatest returns.  And my best, and simplest tip for New Year’s Eve – especially when it comes to successful nibbles – is popcorn!  Yup.  Homemade popcorn of course.

Homemade popcorn is such an unassuming treat.  It has become the perfect starter munchie at any dinner party we throw – always a big hit for friends and family of all ages.  All I can say is that this understated nibble is so comforting and satisfying – and completely unexpected – especially when we serve it in an over-scaled decorative bowl.  And the funny thing is that that bowl always ends up being the serving piece that is picked clean!

Surprisingly it pairs beautifully with all libations, especially, and again unexpectedly, with a glass of really good bubbly.

You’ve got to try our homemade popcorn – a tried and true ice breaker – fun, nostalgic, and delicious.  Quite simply, a freshly popped bowl on our kitchen island is where the party begins.

 

Connecticut Country House Homemade Popcorn

(Yields one big bowl of popcorn.)

1 cup popping corn

1 stick of butter (we use unsalted butter)

2 tablespoons olive oil

fine table salt (salt to taste)

In a small saucepan, melt the stick of butter and set aside.  Using a large soup pot, turn the burner up to high, and heat pot well.  Add the olive oil, and when it starts to lightly smoke – add the corn. Close up pot with its lid and with oven mits on hands, start moving pot continuously back and forth over burner still on high.  The motion of the pot encourages popping and discourages burning.  When it begins to rapidly pop (about 30 seconds after the first sound of popping), turn burner down to medium.  When the popping starts to slow down, turn off burner.  It will continue to pop a little more off the heat.

Now, part of the secret to this popcorn is the multi-layer approach to dressing it.  First fill 1/3 bowl with popcorn, spoon some butter over this, and sprinkle with salt.  Repeat this 2 more times until all popcorn and butter is added.

Next to the big bowl of popcorn, I like to add a stack of small bowls or teacups – so everyone can scoop for themselves.  Enjoy!

 

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” –  C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)

Thanks so much for following my blog, and wishing you a peaceful, beautiful, and fulfilling new year.  See you next year!

Love, Nora