Crunchy Cara Cara Pop Corns
Michelle Phetlhe | Wednesday January 14, 2026 06:19
It doesn’t arrive with the noise and indulgence of December, but with quiet responsibility. January walks in carrying school lists, work schedules, uniforms to be washed and ironed, budgets to be reviewed, and routines to be rebuilt. It is a month that asks us to be honest with ourselves, to reset gently, and to approach life with intention. And even with all its seriousness, January still carries hope, the hope that this year will be better, softer, wiser. At ChellzKitchen, the new year always begins in the same place: the kitchen. Not with extravagant menus or showstopping plates, but with food that makes sense. Food that nourishes. Food that stretches. Food that feeds families without adding pressure. This year, like many households, my kitchen began with one of January’s most familiar ingredients, cabbage. January has a way of humbling us. It forces creativity. It invites us to return to basics and reminds us that good food doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. “Januworry food” often gets a bad reputation, but I’ve learned to appreciate it. It teaches discipline, intentionality, and gratitude. It pushes us to see ingredients for what they truly are. Cabbage is one of the most underrated vegetables in our kitchens.
Affordable, accessible, and incredibly versatile, it has fed generations quietly and faithfully. Yet for many years, cabbage has been treated as an afterthought, a side dish cooked out of obligation rather than excitement. But cabbage deserves respect. When treated well, it transforms. It absorbs flavour beautifully, adapts to different cuisines, and fits effortlessly into modern dietary goals. In a time where many of us are focusing on detoxing, balanced meals, and clean eating, cabbage feels right. It aligns perfectly with revised diets and health resolutions without demanding anything unrealistic. It is filling without being heavy, nourishing without being complicated. What cabbage needs most is confidence and good seasoning. That’s why the introduction of Hinds Cabbage Seasoning last year was so important to me. It wasn’t about changing cabbage into something unfamiliar, but about allowing it to shine. About turning a simple pot of cabbage into something people remember. Something children don’t avoid. Something that feels considered, not rushed. If you missed the excitement last year, this is your reminder that cabbage can be exciting and memorable with Hinds. Food, to me, has always been about more than eating. It’s about people. It’s about connection. It’s about moments shared around a table, laughter carried by steam rising from a pot, conversations unfolding naturally while hands are busy preparing a meal.
At ChellzKitchen, those moments are everything Here’s to another year of intimate cooking classes where couples learn more than recipes, friends bond over chopping boards, and people discover new sides of each other somewhere between tasting and seasoning. We look forward to team-building sessions that turn colleagues into family, and catering experiences that feel personal and thoughtful. With our brand partners, our goal is always to ensure that joy doesn’t stop at our door, but reaches into homes, schools, and communities. While main meals carry families through the day, snacks are on call all day. I love Popcorn. Circus popcorn had a smell that travelled before you even saw the stall. Movie popcorn had me tempted to get popcorn and slushy combo to take home because the movie selection convincing. Popcorn is simple, affordable, filling, and generous. It stretches far and satisfies deeply. Growing up, my sisters and I were obsessed with Diddle Daddles. They were crunchy, sticky, and incredibly addictive. As an adult, I’ve bought them for my boys a few times. They’re still enjoyable, but they’re not quite the same. Maybe the recipe. Maybe we changed. Or maybe nostalgia. As a mother of boys who loves DIY and discovery in the kitchen, I decided to recreate that joy myself. I wanted a snack that felt indulgent but sensible, impressive but achievable. Something that could be made at home without special equipment or expensive ingredients. That journey led me to the perfect homemade caramel popcorn recipe, one that delivers on flavour, texture, and presentation. There is something empowering about realising that what once felt like a store treat can come from your own kitchen. Homemade caramel popcorn doesn’t just save money; it builds confidence. It turns ordinary moments into something special. It becomes a snack you’re proud to serve, gift, or pack into lunchboxes.
INGREDIENTS
10 Cups Popped Popcorn Salt 1 cup Butter 1 cup Brown Sugar 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
INSTRUCTIONS
You will need 10 cups of popcorn. We pop our popcorn on the stove. Once you have made the popcorn, add some salt. Sweet and salty is a great combination and it goes especially nicely with the caramel. Melt 1 cup of butter in a medium saucepan over low/medium heat. It should be hot enough to melt the butter but not too hot to turn the brown butter.
Add 1 cup of light brown sugar and stir until the brown sugar and the melted butter are thoroughly mixed. The butter and brown sugar will come together. Swirl your pit to mix. When the butter and sugar are completely combined, increase the heat to medium-low, just high enough to bring the caramel mixture to a low boil. When the surface starts to bubble add vanilla and mix Add baking soda and mix. This will cause the caramel to change colour and foam up a bit. Drizzle the caramel mixture over the popcorn a bit at a time and fold to get on all the popcorn. For more crunch to the caramel , Preheat oven to 210°C And bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing occasionally. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. This popcorn stores well, makes beautiful gifts, and feels far more luxurious than its cost suggests. It’s proof that simple ingredients, when handled with care, can create something extraordinary. January teaches us that abundance doesn’t always come in loud packaging. Sometimes it looks like cabbage cooked with love. Sometimes it tastes like homemade caramel popcorn shared on the couch. Sometimes it feels like feeding your family well without stress. As we step fully into 2026, may we cook with purpose. May we honour simple ingredients. May we stretch what we have with creativity and pride. And may we remember that food prepared with love always gives back more than it takes. From my kitchen to yours, happy cooking.