Pop'n up and Popped Corn

Been awhile, no excuse.

Actually I have three.  Internet at the house out, been busy (that's good), and I've been in a bureaucratic wrestling match with the ABC trying to be properly licensed to do these pop up dinners I've been talking about.  You see, we are able to do private events at the Space Downtown, and we will continue to do so.

What we would like to also do, is to open every now and then with a special menu, like a tasting menu for the first 30 people who sign up, or a family style night of fried chicken and bubbly, or a vertical tasting of seafood paired with wines.  See where we are trying to go?

You know, a little of this

 and this

 and this

Get the picture(s)?

The suits in Richmond apparently don't.  I pretty much verbatim, told them what I just typed above.  Judging by their reaction, they more or less heard something like the following.

What we would like to do is a state of the art meth lab.  Now, I've already obtained the service of four of the areas leading chemists (two of them tenured at the University) in an effort to produce the most pure blue crystal Central Virginia has ever seen.  We of course intend to distribute, and my need for a license is also such that we can serve booze with our impeccable ice.  If possible, could we expedite this license as, I'm sure you can appreciate, I have quite the payroll on my hands and the sooner I get approved and up and moving, the better. What'd think?

Just kidding.  For twenty two years weve always found the ABC to be easy to work with. I think we've just thrown them a curve ball in the midst of some of their latest turmoil.  How many private dining places are there and now who want to open now and then? We'll figure it out. 

So while I'm working on the license and you are awaiting the first episode of the last season of Breaking Bad ( wow, the timing of this blog ), make yourself some healthy popcorn featuring olive oil and nutritional  yeast.

Here's our lineup

That's a cup of organic popcorn ( on sale at IY right now), a tablespoon of cumin, two tablespoons nutritional yeast.  You will also need three tablespoons olive oil, and salt to taste. Line the bottom of the sauce pan with olive oil.  Lay a single layer of popcorn in the oil ( easy here, it will feed four).

 Cover and turn the heat to high.  Add the cumin.

Once we start popping, drop the heat to low. The oil is plenty hot and and we just need to get the whole gang to explode.  Remove from heat and pour into an over sized bowl. Add yeast, cumin, and salt.

You're all set.

Enjoy the first episode of Breaking Bad.

and wish me luck!