A holiday treat: How to make delicious caramel popcorn at home

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My Saturday was marked by an intense craving for something sweet and salty. After my shift at the hospital, I ran to the nearest candy shop as if the legions of hell were close on my heels.

I surveyed the store for some caramel popcorn. My heart was broken when I didn’t find any, but thankfully, I knew exactly what to do. Yes, I’m going to make my own caramel popcorn and everyone in the candy store can’t have any.

This recipe I’ll be sharing with you is so easy; you can do it with your eyes closed. Just kidding, you don’t want to burn the caramel.

Image Credit: fromvalerieskitchen.com

Okay, so for this recipe we need:

• 1 cup popcorn
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup corn syrup
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup water
• 1 tablespoon salted butter

Once you’ve popped the popcorn, it’s time to make the caramel. In a saucepan large enough to hold the popcorn, place the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook until the mixture becomes light golden brown. Add the baking soda and butter. Once your caramel is ready, add the popcorn to the hot caramel and stir using a wooden spoon. Make sure the popcorn is evenly coated.

 Put the caramelized popcorn on a baking sheet and let it cool. You can then break up the popcorn using your hands. Viola! Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Image Credit: sweetpeaskitchen.com

Caramel popcorn is a great treat for Christmas. My friends and relatives would always ask me to whip this up during the holidays. I also wrap some of them in elegant colored cellophane bags and give them as presents, complete with gift tags with “Happy Holidays! Love, Ava Benedict” written in red glitter ink.

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Ava Benedict: How to slice, dice, and make onions be themselves

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There’s a science to it. The flavors of dishes are dependent on the manner ingredients are prepared.


I, Ava Benedict, have gone dictatorial in the kitchen over the way my onions are diced. Onions are the base for most of my favorite dishes, and obsessing over them gets me results. For some reason, my salsa gets an extra kick, beef stews are more fragrant, and onion rings …taste like themselves.

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Most starting cooks do not know this. They think sticking a knife into a bulb is proper cooking. Well, that method is passable if the simple goal is to feed. But if the goal is to impress dinner guests, then put the onion and garlic to right. They do bigger favors coming into the party as their flavorful selves, and it is the cook’s responsibility to release their souls.


I, Ava Benedict, ran into this YouTube video in search for a proper tutorial. Note how a decorated chef could be bothered for minute-long camera time for the love of onions.
 

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Physics and chemistry majors will be triumphant. More than anyone else, they know the relationship of form and shape to the integrity of a substance. Toss a simple salad with thin uniform slices of red onion and you flirt with the bulb’s sweetness. Any thicker will flame your tongue and have you welling up in tears.


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Women of color: Ava Benedict on the ethnic runway

Since its conception, advertising has primarily been dominated by Caucasian models. This manifested visibly when clothing evolved into a luxury post-war. Style enthusiasts, like Ava Benedict, rightly point out that the trend is not exclusive to the fashion industry. If anything, fashion is at the forefront of ethnic representation.

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Iman Abdulmajid is native to Somalia and widely accepted as the first African American model in history. Upon discovery in 1975, she appeared in a spread of American Vogue before shocking global readership as the cover of the March ’76 Italian Vogue. The fashion bible later went on to publish an “All Black Issue” in 2008. Contrary to critic predictions, it was the highest-selling issue in the history of Italian Vogue– compelling Condé Nast to commission reprints of a magazine for the first time. After nearly 15 years of runway and movie appearances, Iman launched an eponymous line of cosmetics catering to women of color. Fashion guru Ava Benedict has praised Iman for her dedication to the inclusion of women whose skin tones were not traditionally served by existing makeup brands.

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In the decades that followed, other women of color catwalked through racial barriers in multiple industries. UK native Naomi Campbell became the first black model on the covers of French and British Vogue. She dominated the ‘90s runway and was declared one of the first “super” models in history. African American Tyra Banks was one of the original Victoria Secret Angels, a coveted runway title for lingerie models. She is one of only four African Americans who have ranked repeatedly among Time magazine’s “most influential people.”

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Ultimately, modeling strives to embody the epitome of its audience. If ethnic buyers cannot connect with a product because it does not represent them, that goal is unfulfilled.  

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Peek-a-boo, side-swept, and blunt cut: Ava Benedict and her love for the fringe

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There’s nothing cooler than pairing your vintage AC/DC shirt and ripped jeans with fringes that will put focus on your eyes. I, Ava Benedict, has always been at awe with the vintage and foxy appeal of the bangs. My emblem of the perfect fringe is that of Marianne Faithfull. During her youth, Marianne had the natural appeal of a hippie chick – good music, perfectly lined eyes, nude lips, disheveled hair, and the iconic, face-framing ‘60s bangs. I love Marianne the most during her years of romance with Rolling Stones lead vocalist Mick Jagger. She was a sight to behold in those years of peace, love, and rock ‘n’ roll and comparing her to Swifty would be unjust.

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Though we can’t be what Marianne was during her youth, we can copy the one hairdo that defines her – the tomboy bangs. The old Ava Benedict hairstyle was boring so I always wore it in a ponytail using an old-school scrunchie. For a change, I had my hair cut and went for the great Marianne fringe.

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To know which kind of bangs will fit you, hairstylists suggest examining your face shape in front of a mirror. Tie your hair back, stay still, and using a dry-erase marker (or lipstick), trace an outline of your face in the mirror. If you have a round face like Christina Ricci, go for side-swept bangs to soften wide cheeks, create angles, and deflect round visages. If you have a long face like New Girl actress Zooey Deschanel, you can pull off blunt bangs perfectly. This type of fringe helps cover face length and width issues. If you want to achieve that sultry and seductive look, the peek-a-boo fringe will suit you.

For more of Ava Benedict’s guide to fashion, food, health, and culture, follow her on Twitter.

Ava Benedict: In praise of Russian ballet and how it shows through in Evgenia Kanaeva

I, Ava Benedict, have been following the career of Evgenia Kanaeva since her historic win in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as all-around champion in rhythmic gymnastics. Opinions were scattered then --- Belorussian Anna Bessonova, the world champion Kanaeva had dethroned, was relegated to bronze status. Meanwhile, fans from both sides have been foaming in the mouth with comparisons between the performances of the two, and I happen to like better the idea of Kanaeva as Tsarina.

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Grace does to a rhythmic gymnast what an Oxford comma does to a singular element in a list. It props up a dancer in distinction, no matter the order she appears on the floor to deliver the goods. I think this is all due to the strong Russian ballet tradition.

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I, Ava Benedict, was watching Kanaeva’s watery motions on the floor during her Beijing run, the way her back tilts in preparation for an apparatus throw. She was accented by the pink ribbon twirling about her to the lulling hypnosis of the piano version of “Moscow Nights.” Before her, Bessonova had boomed an operatic performance with a cold face, jarring like a Hollywood chase scene. The latter’s fans were quite pleased. Then Kanaeva came on, a bit more languid in powder pink, toting a classic sang froid I’ve only ever seen in Bjorn Borg. And then she was my girl.

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The run-up to her gold medal was both shocking and expected. The ribbon exercise was a mere formality. Before that, she had blitzed the rankings from nowhere with her astounding form.

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Me, myself, Ava Benedict, and a chorus of dancers in Brazil

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Street revelry is one of my preferred venues for dancing like a free electron. Dance is a genuine Ava Benedict thing, and I feel better about it in the company of others. Naturally, festive dances are so me, and I’ve always been amazed at how they do it in other countries. Take Rio, for instance, the capital of uninhibited dancing.

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It’s easy to flirt with the idea of dancing with the Brazilians during Carnavale season, if only because the whole thing is flirtation. The costumes are no less than other-worldly, adorned by women with little body issues and even less self-consciousness for the little they are covered by feathers and body paint. But what’s even more meaningful about the carnavale, in the Ava Benedict dictionary of dancing, is a shared samba movement to Afro-influenced drumbeats, a whole community gyrating and basking within the pulses of enduring, inter-generation dance steps. One wonders whether other dances could lend itself to the same longevity, like it’s a time-tested tradition or a visual history.

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Of course, the important thing is getting a multitude of people to perform the same thing, and for the same purpose. Ballet is one of those popularly accepted forms, but it could sometimes prove to be elitist and specialized, despite its timeless beauty and grace. Street dances know no such boundaries. They are set in the perfect stage for self-abandonment in the name of music. Plus, drummers turn up the beats anytime, less chances of technological fail there.


Visit the Ava Benedict Facebook page for more interesting stuff on world dances.

The secret to delicious hot chocolate: Ava Benedict shares recipe for the classic beverage

Last Friday, on my way to the hospital, I decided to buy a cup of hot chocolate and a few slices of bread for breakfast at the nearest café. “Ava Benedict,” I told myself, “be careful not to burn your tongue.” But I did anyway. What’s worse about the hot choco I bought was that it was too bitter for my taste. I always like my hot choco sweet and creamy. So when my shift at the hospital was over, I decided to search for a great hot choco recipe and try it out myself.

I found a great recipe at this website. And you know what, I made one yesterday and I’ve never had such great-tasting hot choco in my life! Try it out yourself, here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of milk
3 heaping tablespoons of bittersweet chocolate chips
2 heaping tablespoons of white chocolate chips

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Ava Benedict is a pediatrician who spends her free time mastering the art of dance, or whipping up delicious meals and snacks in her sunny kitchen.

Put the stove on low heat, and gently heat the milk in a small sauce pan. Whisk the milk so it doesn’t burn. While the milk is heating, get a saucepan with two inches of water in it; bring the water to boil. Over the simmering water, place a heat-proof bowl with the chocolate chips in it – this serves as your double boiler. Just stir the chocolate until they melt.

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Once the chocolate has melted, add it to the hot milk. Whisk together until the ingredients are completely blended. Just pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mug, top with marshmallows (I prefer large ones!) or sweetened whipped cream. And that’s it!

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Cakes, love, and cerebral palsy: Ava Benedict’s memorable encounter with a patient

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Nothing could have prepared Dr. Ava Benedict for her encounter with Kyla’s parents a day after finding out that the infant had cerebral palsy.

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“Doctor, are you going to tell me that my daughter is dying?” said Kyla’s mother. My response didn’t equate to the idea of death but I informed the parents about Kyla’s deterioration due to cerebral palsy. After a few minutes, Kyla’s father surprised me with a question, “Doctor, will we be able to love her? Will she be able to love us?” To which I replied, “Yes. Parental love is unconditional and infinite. Kyla will love you as much as any other child.”

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Kyla’s mom then asked, “Dr. Ava Benedict, will our daughter be able to bake cakes? Our family runs a bake shop and I want her to be a part of it.” Before I was able to utter a wordutter a word, the father said, “If our daughter can live the same life we have, we will be alright. We have plans for her.”

I couldn’t believe how I misjudged Kyla’s parents just because they were too young to have a baby. I have encountered many families who love their children too much that they are willing to say goodbye. But Kyla’s parents were different. They were hopeful. They wished that Kyla would live longer so she could experience love and a normal life amid her condition.

Read more of Dr. Ava Benedict’s pediatric stories. Visit her Facebook for more updates.

Ava Benedict: Dance your way to fitness and a happier life

From Ava Benedict Photo Credit: Utahvalley.com

I am Ava Benedict. I am passionate about three things: children’s health (due in large part to my profession as a pediatrician), food (I am a passionate foodie and I dream of becoming a chef someday, with a restaurant in the Napa Valley region), and dancing. To me, dancing is not just something you do with your friends when you’re out painting the town red on a Friday night – it is an art form, a sport, and a very effective workout routine that can help you lose weight and have fun at the same time.

From Ava Benedict Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com

Dancing is a very effective form of exercise because it tones and engages various muscle groups at the same time, which is why I, Ava Benedict, make sure to bust a few moves every day. I usually do Zumba at the gym when I have time or visit the local dance studio for some cardio strip tease and belly dancing. Dancing also helps me cope with stress – I usually feel much better and happier after dancing. I do not feel tired at all – I feel energized and pumped to do more (yes, even at 8PM!). It also helps me to think clearly, which helps me concentrate on whatever task I need to perform. Whenever I have a tough day at the hospital or am struggling with life issues, I dance, and I feel much better after.

If you’re in need of a fitness routine you won’t easily get bored with, one that produces fast, consistent results, or if you’re in need of an endorphin rush, I highly recommend dancing.

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An inexplicable fulfillment: Dr. Ava Benedict’s involvement in birthing

“Hello, Dr. Ava Benedict! Patient Mrs. Dawson has just been admitted, she’s 6cm already.” Receiving calls like this in the wee hours of the morning or night gives me a feeling of excitement and nervousness. Exactly one of the reasons why I love being a doctor is the fact that I do not only save lives but also get to witness actual birth-giving.

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As a pediatrician, I am committed to giving quality health care to all my patients. Whenever parents approach me for consultation, I see to it that what I offer will help their child recover from a disease or improve their child’s health.


Aside from the usual pediatric consultations, one of the things that I, Dr. Ava Benedict, look forward to is being involved in the birthing procedure.

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Giving birth is considered a milestone in the lives of women. With mothers bearing their child for about nine months, I, as a doctor, can only do my best to assist in making the whole process a success. As a pediatrician, my work starts when the child is out. I make sure that the child is handled very well. I also check the heart beat of the child to ensure that it is continuous -- especially that the newborn is now cut off from the mother’s support. Checking the condition of the newborn is a critical task, but I am happy to be of service when it comes to this. For me, birthing is a miraculous event, and I’m honored to be a part of it.

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