Totally Addictive Kale Chips

 

Kale chips: the worlds most addictive snack...REALLY!  I have been obsessively noshing on these for the past two months.  Confession: I am not a huge fan of dark greens (insert screeches of horror here!)  I am so in to being healthy, I should like all those dark leafy greens, right?!  But alas my taste-buds from days of old still hang on in a couple of areas.    Unfortunately, I have to 'sneak' them into ME too, not just my kids!!  I know how good they are for me, so I'd love to eat them everyday, all day.  I get a huge high getting any sort of dark leafy green into my kids...but usually it is snuck in somewhere.  And let be honest here: kale chips are not subtle.  They're the opposite of subtle.  There is no sneaking happening here...it is a big, green leaf right before your eyes.  Your kids just might shirk away from the horrible dark green monster staring them in the face.  But one taste, and it is over...these are SO SO SO darn good.  You really won't believe it until you taste them.  So even if your gag reflux starts just THINKING about dark greens...you have got to try these!  I can eat an entire head of kale all to myself, happily.  Crunchy and delicate, one bite and you will be hooked too.  I only waited so long to share with you because taking a pretty picture of kale....well...it was difficult!  I included pictures of my kids (and they are normal ole kiddos with just as much finickiness as the rest) happily crunching away just to prove to you!!  Crunch away...any doctor would tell you to eat as much of this addictive snack as you want!

SPECIAL NOTES:  Have a glass of water handy for swishing you teeth or you will greet people with Grinch-worthy green flecks all over your teeth!  Also, it is surprising how little salt is needed to make these flavorful...start with less and add a pinch more at a time...they get too salty quick!

You can cook these at higher temperatures, but they go from being done to burnt in seconds instead of minutes...so it is much trickier.

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1 head kale, Lacinto/Dinosaur or Curly

Dressing: 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 -1/2 teaspoon salt


Optional flavor add-ins: sesame seeds, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, maple syrup,sesame oil.  The options are really limitless.I have used Annie's Asian Sesame Dressing even.   I keep it simple for my kids, but have really enjoyed playing with the spices and options out there.  Post a comment and let us know YOUR favorite kale chip dressing!

Something he DOESN'T react too!

Tentative

Being silly too

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.   Rinse and dry your kale leaves.  Using your hands or a knife, remove the thick, coarse stems.  I just tear the leaves off in chunks away from the thick rib.  No exact size necessary, make them as perfect or not perfect as  you like.  In a bowl large enough to accommodate all the leaves, make your dressing by whisking all the ingredients together.  Place the leaves in the bowl and using your hands, toss and rub the dressing throughout all the leaves making sure they are all coated.  Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat (click here to order your own from a mom friend or check Amazon).  Bake for about 30 minutes.  Check your leaves, they should be crisp and crunchy, if not, put back in the oven for a few minutes until they are.  Just be careful, when they burn, they taste bitter!  I put 2 cookie sheets in a to a time to speed the process up with success.  This recipe usually fills about 4 cookie sheets.  Taste the first batch, and if you'd like to add a wee bit more salt before cooking the next batch, now is the time! Store in an airtight container.  I recommend eating them within a day.


This recipe was shared on Ingredient Challenge Monday,  My Meatless Mondays,  Calling All Salads,  Sunday Scoop,  Nifty Thrifty Sundays, Meatless Mondays,  The Sensitive Pantry,  Tuesday Time Out, and Traditional Tuesdays