The Lush Chef

Libations used: 2 Tbs bourbon
Libations left over: make yourself an Old Fashioned while you wait for that popcorn to dry
When you put bacon, bourbon and caramel all into a snack food, you're bound to impress.  I made this last year for the Super Bowl and blew some minds...and got some marriage proposals.  What guy wouldn't love this stuff, and love you for making it?  I wish I could claim the recipe as my own, but it's adapted from Villain's Tavern, one of my favorite watering holes in downtown LA.  I made 2 batches of it again for this year's big game, and there was barely any left by halftime.  I think next time I make this, I may even add some cayenne or chile powder to give it a spicy kick.

Bacon Bourbon Caramel Popcorn - makes 1 bag
Ingredients:

• 3 strips of applewood smoked bacon
• 1 bag of plain popcorn
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 Tbs bourbon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

- Heat oven to 250.
- Fry the bacon and set aside.
- Pop the popcorn and lay out on a baking sheet to cool.
- Crumble the bacon and spread over the popcorn.
- In a medium sauce pot, add the butter, brown sugar and maple syrup and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add the bourbon, vanilla extract, salt and baking soda and stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour the caramel mixture over the popcorn and stir to coat.
- Put in the oven for 1 hour and stir up the popcorn every 15 minutes.