Welcome to the Festival of Food Carnival. In celebration of autumn and Halloween, we're sharing recipe ideas for healthy treats, or anything you would enjoy this time of year. Hosted by Diary of a First Child and Hybrid Rasta Mama, you're welcome to join us next time, or if you have a previously published recipe you'd like to share, add it to the linky below.

---

This is one in a series of guest posts by other bloggers. Read to the end for a longer biographical note on today's guest blogger, my partner and husband, Crackerdog Sam. Sam figured out a way to make the perfect fall and Halloween treat of Cracker Jack appealing to those of us with a more muted sweet tooth.

Guest post by Crackerdog Sam

We stopped microwaving popcorn a few years ago when Lauren discovered this easy recipe from Perfect Popcorn by Elise on Simply Recipes for cooking popcorn on the stove that is simple, fast, and delicious and leaves hardly any old maids.

Because I like to incorporate my own twist into recipes, I started experimenting with different powdered topping ideas but never could get one that I loved. Then a few weeks ago Mikko asked what Cracker Jack was after hearing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," and, not wanting to buy him some (if he didn't like it I wouldn't finish it, since it's way too sticky for me, molar-wise), I improvised a version of Cracker Jack on the stove with brown sugar. It turned out better than anything I had slaved over inventing.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp peanut oil (use peanut oil for a rich taste that lets the popcorn flavor shine through — you could substitute grapeseed or coconut oil…though I love the peanut oil and found it was well worth buying a bottle)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp popcorn kernels
• 1/3 cup salted peanuts
• 1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar (or smaller amount Sucanat; see below)

Dietary/allergy notes:

{From the editor:} Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free. Obviously not appropriate for people with peanut allergies as is, though you could substitute the oil and leave out the peanuts. Yes, it has a little sugar. I'll admit that we do eat sugar, despite this being the "healthy" treat festival, ha ha! If you want to avoid refined sugar, try substituting a smaller amount of Sucanat in place of the brown sugar — Sucanat has a stronger taste, so you'll have to experiment to get the amount right.

Instructions:

1) In a three-quart stainless steel saucepan, add oil, salt, and 3 to 4 popcorn kernels. Cover with glass lid. {Editor's note: Stainless steel with glass lids are ideal for this recipe. You can substitute opaque lids if needed and just listen to count the test pops. I have fond memories of my dad and me making popcorn on the stove by doing just that!}


2) Heat at a high heat (my knobs go up to 10 and I cook it at 8) until those kernels have popped.


3) Remove pan from heat momentarily, remove lid and add the rest of the kernels (replacing lid), and shake pan for 30 seconds. Place back on heat until all kernels have popped.




4) Immediately after popping has ceased, remove lid and sprinkle brown sugar on the popcorn and toss in the peanuts. Replace lid quickly to keep the steam inside and shake well to coat evenly for about 20 seconds.


5) Pour your sugar-sweet popcorn into a large serving bowl and enjoy!

Crackerdog Sam (that's his hobo name) is a full-time work-from-home parent. He shares both the working and the parenting of five-year-old Mikko and one-year-old Alrik with Lauren of Hobo Mama. He is the resident chef extraordinaire and does all the family's (delicious) cooking.

---

Please take a moment to visit the blogs of our other Festival of Food participants. The links in this list will be live by the end of the day, as participants are all in different time zones.

• Jessica from Delicious Obsessions shares her recipe for Lemon Coconut Blueberry Macadamia Nut Muffins, a low-carb, low-sugar treat that won't leave you feeling guilty. You can also find Jessica on Facebook.
• Abbie at Farmer's Daughter shares a recipe for Unsweetened Cinnamon Applesauce in the slow cooker, a yummy treat that also makes the house smell amazing. You can also find Abbie on Facebook.
• Lulastic of Lulastic and the Hippy Shake shares a story of urban foraging, and the delicious recipe for the Fruit Leathers she made with the harvest! You can also find Lulastic on Facebook.
• Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama shares a super easy, fix it and forget about it Crock Pot Pumpkin Custard that tastes like warm pumpkin pie filling without the sugar and grains! You can also find Jennifer on Facebook.
• Bianca at the Pierogie Mama justifies why she guards her homemade applesauce from 'unauthorized' uses.  You can also find Bianca on Facebook.
• Jennifer from True Confessions of a Real Mommy helps you take your love of all things pumpkin to the dinner table! A gluten free, dairy free, and vegan if you like Thai Pumpkin Soup to warm you up! You can also find Jennifer on Facebook.
• Crackerdog Sam guest posts at Hobo Mama with a slightly sweet, stove-popped Cracker Jack alternative. You can also find Hobo Mama talking about Crackerdog Sam on Facebook.
• Luschka at Diary of a First Child shares her foundation recipe for 'milkshakes' - coloured green smoothies - that her toddler loves to have with 'chocolate' date balls and banana 'ice cream'. You can also fine Luschka on Facebook.
• Amy at Anktangle shares a wholesome version of a decadent treat: Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars. They have a classic, no-bake cookie flavor while being gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan. Nut-free substitutions included! You can also find Amy on Facebook.

<a href="http://www.diaryofafirstchild.com/carnivals/"><img src="http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c173/Rastakitty/FestivalofFoodFinal.jpg" alt="Festival of Food Carnival" width="150" height="84" border="0" /></a>