One of my first food memories is of me standing over a large pot of bubbling applesauce.  I was perched on a stool in my Aunt Vicki’s kitchen, my nose hovering as close as possible to soak up the amazing smell.  I don’t remember much else other than that snapshot, but I have never forgotten the intoxicating aroma.  Aunt Vicki and I were making homemade applesauce – yes, I said making.  (As far as I was concerned, applesauce grew in jars.)  Whenever I smell baking apples to this day, I am immediately reminded of that afternoon.  It was about twenty years later until I had another taste of homemade applesauce, yet somehow my memory of the sweet sauce was perfectly on point.

So let’s start from the beginning: Aunt Vicki.  As the story goes, the first day my parents moved in, Vicki Giffin showed up on their doorstep with a large welcome basket filled with goodies, tea, and her lifelong friendship.  Aunt Vicki became my surrogate grandmother, seeing that mine was a long drive away.  Some of my first childhood memories are of Aunt Vicki.  A woman way ahead of her time, Vicki was a vegetarian nurse who taught yoga (and yes, this was the early 80s).  She was famous for all sorts of kooky things, ranging from setting her lamppost on fire one Halloween (she made a “ghost” out a sheet – however did not account for the flammability of said sheet) to spending ungodly amounts of money to save a tree in her backyard that was in the way of an impending addition (by the way, the addition was a jacuzzi room).  She had a working slot machine in her living room, an ancient rake hanging on the family room wall, and every toy imaginable in her basement.  She was one of the coolest people I have ever known.  Along with all these quirks, Vicki had the largest heart.  She was kind, genuine, and loving.  Unfortunately, Vicki’s life was cut short by a very rare form of brain cancer.  While she is no longer with us, her memories live on in all those she touched.  I smile and think of her every time I make my own sauce. (more…)

One of my favorite “toys” growing up was a blue and yellow Fisher Price apron and the accompanying kitchen utensils stuffed in the pockets – go figure, huh?  Clearly my passions haven’t changed much since then.  Along with the zig-zag pasta wheel, teaspoons and spatula (all yellow and blue plastic, of course) my apron also held a fold-out recipe card.  All simple kid-friendly recipes, the card included such gems as Ants on a Log,  “Banana Milkshake,”  and Peanut Butter Popcorn.

This is a great “recipe” to teach you kids to encourage them to be creative and healthy when choosing their snacks.  Prepared completely in the microwave, there are no knives, ovens or ranges to worry about. (However the recipe would be best prepared wearing a blue and yellow apron with Velcro strings) A simple recipe like this gives children independence in the kitchen and allows them to  “cook” for themselves.  Even though the recipe did originate from Fisher Price, it has stuck with me all these years.  A sign that sometimes the simplest things are truly the best!

With a subtle sweetness, this creamy topping ups the ante on regular popcorn and creates that wonderful dichotomy of sweet and salty together in a healthy snack.  Whether its a new addition to movie night or a fun twist on an afternoon snack, everyone will love this quick and easy popcorn topper!

Peanut Butter Popcorn

Makes enough topping for 1 regular bag of microwave popcorn

Melt 2 T peanut butter and 1 T margarine in a small bowl in the microwave.  (Depending on microwaves, ~10-20 seconds)

Stir until smooth.

Drizzle over freshly popped popcorn.

Enjoy!

*Chef’s Note : I prefer to drizzle the topping allowing some extra gooy bites, while my husband prefers to mix the topping in to ensure an even coating…you can choose what works best for you*