August 24, 2011

Kale Chips: A Healthy Allergy-Friendly Snack

We've been living the small town life for the last few weeks of summer--and enjoying every minute of it.  In Pacific Grove, they have a Farmer's Market on Central Avenue outside the Natural History Museum.  I am a bit of a Farmer's Market fanatic.  I firmly believe that if anything is going to get my kids to eat more fruits and veggies, it's fresh organic produce from a farm--or just as good, from a Farmer's Market.

In addition to blueberries, strawberries, nectarines, pluots, beets, and cilantro, I just had to pick up some kale.  And even though I have limited experience cooking it, I knew I would find a suitable recipe online.  Kale Chips.  I was skeptical, but am now a believer.

SO easy your kids can do it.  All you do is trim or tear the kale into bite sized pieces from the thick stem, wash and dry,

spread out on foil-lined pan,


toss with olive oil and sprinkle salt (I also added some garlic powder at my girl Michelle's suggestion and it was yum),


and into a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until crispy (mine took 14 minutes).


The texture was sort of similar to roasted seaweed, and there was a slight bitter aftertaste, but I'm convinced that if they're hungry enough, they won't notice it.  :)


Result?  We finished the bowl easily.  Two of the kids and I.  Perfect for munching on before dinner when hungry stomachs are rumbling. 

Warning: kale chips can be really addicting (which might not be such a bad thing!).

5 comments:

  1. Yup, made these with the garlic powder and they were good. But only one of my kids liked them....boo. Oh well, he and I will eat it all. So crazy that these raw, thick kale leaves magically become this crisp, crunchy chips. And they are addicting. I made two batches in two days!

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  2. I saw kale chips selling at Nob Hill Foods today for $6.49 for 2 ounces. Homemade is definitely the way to go!

    Sarah and Michelle, any idea how to store these so they stay crispy? I made too much, popped it in tupperware, and today they were a little soft.

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  3. I wish I knew. They always get eaten pretty much right away around here. If anyone knows, do tell. I would love to send for school snacks!

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  4. I read somewhere to use those drying packets (like those you find in the rice cracker package)....desiccant packs? But still best to eat them right away...:)

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