kale chips.

Kale always seems to be one of those under-appreciated greens. In my house I am the only one who likes it. In fact my boys just don't like leafy greens and the only way they enjoy eating them is juiced into their morning smoothies with frozen fruit. But, kale chips is one of those things that everyone likes. Even picky kids (or husbands). They are crispy, salty, and have lots of good flavor. They are also really easy to make - so when you have a bunch of kale that you don't know what to do with...make chips!


::kale chips::

1 bunch of kale

::base flavor::
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sea salt
fresh ground pepper to taste

::spice mixes to add to the base::

dilly:
1 tsp fresh finely minced dill
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

earthy:
2 shakes of toasted sesame oil
1 tsp ground cumin

spicy:
1/2 tsp Spanish paprika
pinch cayenne
pinch yellow curry powder

::instructions::

-Wash and dry the kale.


-Cut out the thick center stalks (clean scissors are the easiest way).
-Tear/cut into 3" pieces.


-Add your oils/spices to a bowl and stir a tad. Then toss the kale into the bowl, tossing and stirring until it is all coated.
-Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.


-Toss again and arrange in a single layer in your dehydrator.
-Let dehydrate until crispy.
-Store in airtight container. They won't last long.

If you don't have a dehydrator you can arrange on a cookie sheet and use the oven on the lowest setting until crispy. I like the dehydrator because I don't have to crank the oven on a hot summer day and the low temps keep it nice and green. But either way works!


::good stuff ::

Kale is an excellent source of fiber, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese; a very good source of copper, tryptophan, calcium, vitamin B6, and potassium; and a good source of iron, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin B2, protein, vitamin B1, folate, phosphorous, omega-3's (alpha-linolenic acid/ALA) and vitamin B3.