SUNSHINE CLEANING + STRAWBERRY POPCORN

This dark comedy (TW: suicide) was based on an All Things Considered report on NPR about two best friends who started a biohazard removal/cleaning service (https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1123029). I appreciated its thoughtful approach to this necessary job.

Directed by: Christine Jeffs

Starring: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, and Alan Arkin

Screenplay by: Megan Holley

I decided to make strawberry popcorn in honor of Joe’s hustle of “fancy corn” and this scene in the candy store:

Oscar: “Hey, do you know if they sell fancy corn here?”

Candy Store Girl: “I don’t know.”

Oscar: “I heard the strawberry fancy corn gives you bionic strength. It’s true. There’s some sort of chemical in the strawberry flavor and that means if you eat a whole lot of it, you get bionic strength.”

Candy Store Girl: “I don’t believe you.”

Strawberry Popcorn (recipe from Crave the Good: https://www.cravethegood.com/strawberry-flavored-popcorn/)

1/2 c. unpopped popcorn kernels

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 tbsp. salted butter

1 tbsp. light corn syrup

1/8 c. water

1/4 c. granulated sugar

1 box strawberry-flavored Jell-O

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the popcorn kernels and oil in a pot on the stove and heat over medium-high heat, shaking the pan every so often until the kernels are popped. Set aside.

Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Pour the sugar mixture over the popcorn and quickly toss to coat.

Spread the popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before transferring to a bowl.