The easiest snack you’ll ever make: Salted honey butter popcorn

Sometimes I daydream about the grand parties I’ll throw someday when I’m a real grownup. You know, the kind of grownup with a real house, a giant kitchen and a dining room that fits more than two adults, a small baby and a 5-pound pup. I’ll wear a fancy cocktail dress and pearls — because ’60s TV binging has taught me that’s what sensible, big-kitchen owning house-dwellers cook in — and a crowd of my equally snazilly dressed nearest and dearest will convene in the dining room for a meal that promises to be the talk of the family Christmas card for years to come. This scenario repeats often in my head and always ends with me walking into the dining room with some amazing dessert, a flambé perhaps, that I proceed to light on fire amidst “oos” and “ahs” from the crowd. (Although, after my recent torching escapades, I suppose that daydream should be edited to include my dad lighting the flambé. Ooph.) Oh, and at the end of the night, my hair is still perfect, and my dress is spotless. Ah, yes, a girl can dream.

Time will tell when the great dinner party of my dreams will finally come to fruition, but in the meantime, I’ll happily continue our smaller-scale, some-folks-might-have-to-sit-on-the-ground-but-by-golly-their-tummies-will-leave-happy form of entertaining. Small can be cozy, and simple can be great. And believe it or not, food can be awesome even when no pyrotechnics are involved.

Enter the easiest snack food you’ll ever make: salted honey butter popcorn. The concept is simple. So simple, in fact, that all of the ingredients are listed in the title. It’s easy, fast, delicious and, despite its simplistic nature, tastes amazing and looks beautiful in a brightly colored bowl. So maybe you’re not lighting things on fire yet. Your food can still elicit “oos” and “ahs.” Sometimes it’s all in the flavor.

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Salted Honey Butter Popcorn
Adapted slightly from The Faux Martha

• ½ cup plain, unpopped popcorn
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• salt to taste

Pop the popcorn using whatever method you prefer (I use an air popper, but the stovetop works great, too). Set aside.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in honey until well mixed. Remove from the heat.

Pour the honey butter mixture over the popcorn, and mix until the popcorn is evenly coated. Give it a taste to gauge your salt preference, then add salt to taste (I added about another ½ teaspoon).

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Does anyone else daydream of amazing future shindigs? Or maybe you’re already throwing les grandes fêtes on a regular basis. What’s your favorite dish to serve guests? And does anyone else have a favorite party snack recipe to share? Let’s hear it!

XO,
Katrina