The Not-Popcorn Popcorn (AKA my salvation)

Thirteen years back something tragic happened.  I found out that I could not eat popcorn.  Weird, I know.  But true.  And like I said, quite tragic.

That might not sound that tragic to you, but imagine, if you will, going to the movies, with that wonderfully salty and buttery smell wafting through the air and having to use all the self-control you can muster to just say no.  You sit down next to a family, munching and crunching their way through their bags of popcorn, and you can see it, smell it, hear it,  and yet you still must find the self-control to just say no.

Frankly, this sucks.  And so you will find very few movie stubs in my wallet.

But alas!  A new day has dawned in the life of Tiffany!  And it all started with Joy the Baker...

Joy wrote a book.
This book inspired Carrie to create a cooking group.
That cooking group sounded interesting and so I joined.
I, along with my fellow Joy-fanatics, set out to cook every recipe in the book.
One of these recipes was for 'Perfect Kettle Corn'.
'Perfect Kettle Corn' and myself would not mix very well so I asked the fellow Joy bakers for ideas.
Many women gave great ideas, but Becca gave the best one: rice cakes.
Rice cakes were bought, melted butter and sugar were whisked together, and Rice Cake Kettle Corn was created.
And I lived happily ever after.

Look at it:  Looks like popcorn, right?  And it tastes very, very similar.  My man who has declared for years that he doesn't like popcorn tried it, liked it, and went for more.  Problem solved for both us... it's a win-win.

Who knew joining this group would not only be good for my cooking skills but would open so many doors, as well?  I didn't, but I am glad that I do now!

Recipe inspired by Joy the Baker's Perfect Kettle Corn

INGREDIENTS:
1 pack rice cakes (I used the lightly salted ones)
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using your hands, take one rice cake at a time and break into smaller chunks.  (If you do more than one you will get individual rice pieces, which you do not want.)
2. Over medium heat, melt half of the butter and add half of the sugar.  Mix in half of the rice cake chunks and stir.  Remove from pot and repeat with the other half.  
3. Put all together, pop in movie, and enjoy.

Cost: $2.44 per large bowl