Recipe - Kale Chips (Art Every Day - Day 18)

(A Day Late for Art Every Day Month)

Today's Art Every Day comes in the form of food.  After a couple of sugary recipes, it's time for something a bit more healthy: Baked Kale Chips.  You may be saying, "WHAT?! Ick!" But, wait!  Hear me out...

These crispy little treats have made their rounds on cooking blogs, on diet menus and have been tauted as the next best thing to the potato chip, so I decided I needed to try for myself.  Here's what you do:

Washed curly kale, stems removed.

Baked Kale Chips
1 bunch curly kale
1 T olive oil
kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano


Kale tossed with olive oil and parmesan

 Wash kale (I do this by soaking for a few minutes in a bowl of cool water.  You will be amazed at how much dirt and silt is left in the bowl.) Remove the large stems from the center of the leaves.  Let leave dry on a paper towel.  When dry, tear leaves into smaller (about 2 inch) pieces  into a dry bowl.  Toss with 1 T olive oil, salt (about 2 teaspoons), pepper and 1 T grated parm. Line 2 baking sheets with foil, spray baking sheets with oil.  Arrange leaves on a foil lined baking sheet in a single layer.  1 bunch of kale may take two baking sheets.  Top with more parm.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until dry looking.


Baked kale, cooling on baking sheet



• Be sure the leaves are somewhat dry before tossing with oil, so they don't steam in your oven.
• Add additional herbs and spices to change the flavor.  Try garlic powder, cayenne pepper, or chili powder.
• Go easy on the salt, the chips shrink and the salt becomes more concentrated.
• Let cool completely before storing.
• Store in a covered container in a cool place for up to a week.

Crispy kale chips

So, what's the verdict?  Are these the next potato chip?  No, they most decidedly are not.  But they are a  unique crispy treat that are curiously addictive.  I can see that they would be a great garnish on top of a steak or hearty bean soup.  They could be spiced up or down.  They make a great "Bat Wing" food item for your Halloween Buffet.  They are unique, healthy, crispy, spicy, tasty, and interesting.  Don't let anyone fool you that they are a substitute for other type of chips, but I think that they can hold their own.