The Best Homemade Caramel Popcorn

I am completely obsessed with the Essential New York Times Cookbook. Edited by the talented and funny Amanda Hesser, the book has over 1,000 recipes that Hesser found, tested, and updated from 150 years of Times archives. It's tempting to want to cook my way through it (a daunting task) but every single thing I've tried has been delicious. Usually I try to include a lot of vegetables with dinner but on a recent night when my boyfriend was really sick, I decided smoothies and homemade caramel popcorn was in order. So I made vegan chocolate cake batter smoothies (healthier than it sounds-includes oats, cashew butter, almond milk, carob powder & chocolate chips), and "To Sugar or Crystallize Pop-Corn" (otherwise known as caramel corn) from the Times cookbook. The recipe was originally printed in 1878 (!!) and is an addicting mix of sweet and salty. You can't tell in the photo that the caramel is on the popcorn but it is - the perfect light, sweet coating.

I will never make microwave popcorn again. It is way too easy to use a little bit of corn oil, popcorn kernels and a large pot on the stove.

"To Sugar or Crystallize Pop-Corn" from the Essential New York Times Cookbook

Corn Oil
1/2 cup popcorn
1T unsalted butter
3T water
3/4 cup sugar
Salt (optional - I think you definitely need it)

1. Cover the bottom of a large heavy pot with corn oil. Add the popcorn, stir to coat, cover, and place over medium-high heat. Cook, shaking frequently, until all the popcorn has popped. Remove from the heat and keep covered.

2. Combine the butter, water, and sugar in another large pot, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissoves and the mixture begins to caramelize, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour in the popcorn, and stir quickly to coat the kernels with the caramel--some will stick to the pot. Season with salt if desired, and scrape into a serving bowl.

Makes 4 quarts

Flowers in Bloom in Central Park

I hope these photos put a smile on your face like they do for me! When Central Park is awash in spring beauty and color, I try to spend as much time as possible there. It's like the ultimate Garden of Eden. Every time, I feel like I've walked down a new path or climbed a new rock. I see the carousel and can't wait to take my own kids there. Writing and researching my Behind the Scenes in Central Park story for National Geographic this year made me fall more in love with these 843 acres.

The Silversmith You Must Visit in Argentina

My new ringThe name to know is DRAGHI. And bring American dollars! Located about 1.5 hours outside the city center of Buenos Aires in a charming town called San Antonio de Areco, Draghi preserves the traditions of Argentine silverwork. The town itself reminded me of a smaller, South American Santa Fe for its town square and all the art galleries & shops. The building is part museum where you're able to browse a priceless collection of items from the 19th century including knives, belts, and jewelry. You can also watch the artisans at work. The shop was my favorite part and a group of us browsed rugs, blankets, necklaces, and rings.

I spotted the ring I wanted and discovered it would be $120 on my credit card, but $50 if I paid American cash. Why? American dollars have a high black market value and are highly coveted by Argentines so BRING more dollars than you think you'll need. This article explains it well - apparently President Cristina (whom every single person I talked to HATED) has put some insane limits on foreign exchange, and the peso is the world's worst performing currency. I don't completely understand, but know I got my ring for a great deal!

After visiting the silversmith, continue on to La Bamba de Areco, one of my new favorite places in the world, an impeccably designed and beautiful estancia, or ranch. It's where I met this sweet dog!

This dog wandered around the shopBeautiful Courtyard at Draghi

A Sweet Argentine Dog

We had one day free during Virtuoso (read the travel trends I discovered during the conference on my National Geographic blog here) in Buenos Aires and got to choose a daytime activity ranging from a city tour, to cooking classes, or sports tour. But I immediately knew which one I wanted to do - visit an estancia, or a large ranch-style estate, outside the city. The place we went, La Bamba de Areco, was truly a South American dream retreat. While others did horseback riding or a carriage ride, I chose to take one of their bikes and go for a ride. The roads were bumpy but I started following the path that made me feel happiest. With the autumn sun shining down and a slight breeze, this beautiful, sweet dog seemed to appear from nowhere. I could see nothing else except for horses and cows. He just wanted a lot of loving and I was happy to give it to him! After about 30 minutes, he had enough and ran away to play. It was a little bit of home so many thousands of miles away from my own dog.

Landmarks of Buenos Aires

A full week in one of the world's greatest cities, Buenos Aires, allowed me to visit all the landmark neighborhoods and monuments, as well as off-the-beaten-path gems. Yet even at the more famous places, like Sunday's bustling San Telmo Market, I felt like one of few visitors. It was bittersweet to leave this free-spirited, beautiful city.