Friday, February 08, 2008

Kale Chips

I've been seeing recipes for kale chips popping up all over. Everytime I see the idea, it intrigues me and I've wanted to make it for a long time. But it wasn't until I started doing this raw fast that I thought it'd be a great time to try them.

The thing that always tempts me the most during any sort of detox or fast is always something crunchy. Always. I stood in front of a bag of tortilla chips for about 5 minutes yesterday, fighting off the temptation. I won, but I still had that urge for something with some salt and some crunch to it.

Enter the kale chips. Since I'm allowing myself cooked vegetables, these fit perfectly. And listen to me when I say this - they are delicious. Now I'm not crazy enough to say that they taste just potato chips, but they are a great substitute. Even if you don't like kale, I'm betting you might like these, since you mostly taste the salty flavor.

The basic recipe I've been using is as follows, but I've also discovered it's much easier (and slightly tastier and healthier) to just liberally sprinkle them with a light italian or caesar vinaigrette and throw them in the oven. It's honestly a perfect little crunchy treat.

Kale Chips

Kale Chips

3 or 4 large kale leaves, with stem removed and cut into 2" pieces
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Smart Balance oil or Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
A few pinches of kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together vinegar, oil, and salt, and toss with kale leaves. Place in a single layer on cookie sheet and place into oven. Bake 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through until crispy. Do not overcook or allow them to become completely brown as they will taste bitter. Enjoy!

25 comments:

Peggasus said...

That looks good! I've never heard of those before.

I've given up chips too (and vodka, but that's another story). Last time I was up around Chicago I bought some fried peas and some wasabi peas, and they are salty and crunchy too, and are getting me through it, even though it's been only 2.4 days. Now if only they came in nacho cheese flavor...

kickpleat said...

i've never heard of kale chips, but now i want to try! yum.

Vicki said...

I forgot how much I love kale chips. Thanks for the reminder - I'm going to make some tonight!

Miss M said...

Yum! I had two types of Kale in my fridge that needed using up and since this is vegan month for me, what a great QUICK recipe! You are absolutely right about making sure the leaves don't get too brown..I made sure I ate those and let my sweetie have the yummy green ones :)

Fiber said...

Peggasus - I love wasabi peas! They are absolutely delicious. I also found some chili peas at my local Vietnamese store that are absolutely delicious! Good luck on your 40 Days!

Kicky - Give them a try. I was surprised at how tasty they are, and they definitely satisfy the salty/crunchy urge.

Vicki - how did they turn out??

Miss M - they do burn up pretty quickly and then taste very bitter, but the green crispy ones are delicious. I've been experimenting with some really good seasoning salts too. Very tasty!

DocChuck said...

I am a long-time kale lover, but I never heard of kale chips. It's a fascinating idea and I'm going to give it a try.

Since we buy kale (along with collards) on every trip to our beloved "Lexington Market" in old Baltimore, the supply of kale at home is always adequate.

@ fiber: I agree with you on the wasabi peas. I love them (my wife doesn't, unfortunately). Lately, I have been buying them at Trader Joes. But the ones at "NutsOnLine" are perhaps the best I have ever eaten.

Fiber said...

Docchuck - So i've never been to Nuts Online, although i went immediately after reading your comment. What great snacks they have! I already placed an order for some post-Lent treats. Thanks!

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Anonymous said...

Do you remember Kathy's (from my work) husband John? He is a kale fanatic. I'll have to send this to him.

Jaime said...

This is brilliant! I've never heard of this, but it sounds fantastic, and like exactly what I need. I can't wait to try it.

Dani Spies said...

Yum..I love kale chips. They really do taste better than they sound. Thanks for reminding me about these:).

Eileen said...

wow, strange and interesting! I have certainly noticed that kale semi-accidentally crisped in the frying pan is really great, but for some reason it hadn't occurred to me to make actual chips! MUST TRY.

Anonymous said...

How interesting! We'll have to try them.

Anonymous said...

How interesting! We'll have to try them.

Anonymous said...

Just last week my husband and I were in a Thai restaurant that used the crispy kale as a "bed" for the entree. We were wondering how to make them, and lo and behold this appeared! It's so easy, and so yummy. The first batch never even got a chance to cool down. This will be a staple in our household now!

Anonymous said...

While I fully expected not to like these, I loved them!! Can't wait to eat more!

Eric said...

What a wonderful site, I'm so glad I found it -- I've got mounds of kale, and will be giving it this treatment, with some substitutions for vinegar and some flavored finishing salts.

Congrats on such an innovate recipe.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this terrific idea :)---------- does anyone know if this works with anything else? like mustard or turnip greens - ? - I only ask because I am trying to find a way to eat these healthy things :)

Kirby! said...

yummers, i really love these. i mentioned/linked the recipe on my post on kale, hope you don't mind!! http://kirbyvonscrumptious.blogspot.com/2008/06/fresh-kale-causes-seasonal-identity.html

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the kale chips recipe. I am also planning for a detox session next month and its foods that I am worried about. I am definitely going to try kale chips during that time.

Emily said...

SESAME. I added in some sesame oil in with the olive and sprinkled sesame seeds on top.

Be careful not to over-salt them.

I really didn't think they would be THIS good.

Geez. It's like magic happens in the oven. It tastes different. Amazing. I'm addicted.

Lucy said...

Seriously good.

With a garden over-planted (and over-run) with kale, you've made my month. Lovely, simple snack.

Beth Sinnard said...

After hearing a lot about these I had to check them out. They are D-Lish! I like that you have incorporated apple vinegar into your recipe - most others that I have found only use oil and salt. The apple gives it a really nice flavor - it took every bone in my body not to eat the entire batch at once!

Donna | Healthy Recipes said...

Oh yeah, I get that crunchy, salty craving too! Big time! I'm transitioning to a high-raw diet (80% or more of what I eat is raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts), and I hear so many raw vegans raving about them. Our garden looks like a sea of kale at the moment, and I'm feeling like something crunchy. So I went in search of recipes. I know you can use a dehydrator to make them too, that way you don't cook them at a temperature that will kill the enzymes, and you don't have to worry about overcooking them either. I'll post some recipes when I finish them - raw, dehydrated style. And you can make a nacho cheese flavor!

kallucas said...

Thanks for the recipe, I am new to kale but love it. I also tried this recipe with organic baby spinach and it too was delicious! Thanks again.