Seems to me this has been the rage for some time now, so today was my first try at making some kale chips. (Note: Three hours after I made them, the post on the Whole Foods page today was for kale chips. I must have some weird veg-esp.) But first, let's see a couple of shots of my Washington Green Grocer delivery for this week. My inspiration!
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| Just opened, top layer. Paper bag has mushrooms inside. |
I told my friends I was just giddy over my package arrival. 95% of them thought I needed to be "evaluated professionally" because this was a carton of fruits and vegetables. Then again, one signed up immediately for next week's delivery and another came by to talk to me about signing up. What can I say? (Take that, naysayers!) Some people get excited over new electronics or a handbag, others are jazzed by leafy greens. Don't judge. (I like handbags too! The larger ones make it easier to carry kale in.)
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| Bottom layer. Box just jam packed with good things to eat. |
I'll give you the run down so you can see the value in this (all organic):
4 large russet potatoes (NY)
1 pint grape tomatoes (FL)
1 head of broccoli (CA)
3 navel oranges (FL)
2 mangos (S.A.)
3 bosc pears (WA)
3 braeburn apples (VA)
4 bananas (S.A.)
2 baby bok choy (CA)
2 portabello mushrooms (PA)
1 bunch of carrots (8 carrots) (CA)
1 head of romaine lettuce (CA)
And then this week I added on items (some organic/some not):
2 large bunches of kale ($2.00)
1 bag fresh shitake mushrooms ($4.00)
3 medium zucchinis ($1.50)
1 large bunch of basil ($2.00)
2 heads of garlic (.60)
1 lb of green beans ($2.25)
My total for all this produce, delivered to my door = $52.10. I know, shut up! I was delighted. Did you take a gander at that baby bok choy? They were HUGE, but still the tender baby variety.
I really was hoping, as mentioned above, that my juicer would arrive at my door by the time this box did. I love to juice kale because it is a super food. Concentrated green energy. But didn't happen. So then, with two large bunches of kale in my fridge, what was I going to do? I thought about making my sausage, potato, kale soup, which is delicious, but then had a desire to try something new.
Smoked Paprika Kale Chips
1 bunch of fresh kale, destemmed, washed, dried
Olive oil
Sea salt
Smoked paprika
Wow, the kale was so super fresh and vibrant, I just couldn't wait. No sad, wilted greens in this house. The produce I get from WGG is as fresh as someone living in a condo (who doesn't even own dirt to grow anything anyway) can get. That's the whole point. Fresh is best.
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| Alive and well. |
First I had to take off the tough stems. Which naturally lended itself to tearing the leaves into smaller pieces. (Looking back, I should have been a little more uniform with the bigger ones, so make sure to make them about the same size.) I washed them thoroughly and had to dry them really well. I don't have a salad spinner. (I know - it shocks me too! On my list though.) So I put them in a clean kitchen towel and dried them off as best as I could. Really strive to get all the water off of them. Makes for a crispier chip.
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| Dry is good, in this case. |
Got out a glass bowl, threw in the leaves and then drizzled in some olive oil. Tossed with my hands until all was well-coated.
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| Go easy on the oil. Toss a bit and then see if you need to add a little more. |
Seems as if everyone and their macrobiotic mother has made kale chips in the past few years, so the flavors, like with the blank canvas of potato chips, are endless. (Only these are much better for you.) My secret weapon of the day was smoked paprika. A lesser known and infrequently used spice perhaps, but I'm here to change that. Oh, it's not just the baby that Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper from Blue's Clues had! (Seriously, salt and pepper together do NOT make paprika, so what the heck? I won't even mention that Paprika later ends up with a little brother named Cinnamon! Now come on!)
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| Smoky, rich, unique. Don't ask me what it tastes like. It tastes like paprika! |
If you don't have industrial baking sheets, buy them. They are the best. Not very expensive. Lots of good surface room. I put a piece of parchment down and then placed all the kale on it in a single layer. Then I lightly sprinkled with sea salt and that lovely, reddish orange powdered spice.
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| Can't miss it on the green. |
Into a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes, flipping half way through, made them go from soft to crispy. Start with less time and then check on them. You'll want them to be dried out and just turning slightly brown. In essence, you're taking out all the moisture, thus the lower temp. So they will shrink down in size from what you had before.
It's important to throw some financials around here. 2.5 ounce of kale chips at the store: $5.99 - 8.99. (Geebers! Why don't you just take my whole wallet while you're at it.) Home version: $2.00 for a big bunch of fresh kale and 15 min in the oven. Spice and salt cost = nominal.
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| Fragile, yet really good crunch. |
These were so tasty, I have to admit to you... I ate the entire pan. Oh yes, every last one! I started with just the bowl below and then went back for more until they were all gone. Addictive? Understatement. And because it's a leafy green veggie, they are so much better for you than potato chips. (Translation: Less guilt.) You won't get all the wonderful nutrients of juicing kale fresh, but dang, this is a heck of a way to replace starchy, deep fried tubers and retain the snacky quality you desire.
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| Baked and not fried. Yet just as crispy. |
I thought of what flavors future batches could be dusted with... Seasoning salt. Lemon pepper. Old Bay. Sweet curry. Garam Masala. I think they'll get along with just about anything. (Except cocoa. Don't do that.)
Things for you to do: 1.) Check out Washington Green Grocer if you're in the DC Metro area. If you're not, see what programs your local farmers have available for you or grow your own stuff if you can. (One day, I will own dirt. Oh yes I will! Maybe. I can't afford dirt yet.) 2.) One way or another, get some kale. 3.) Buy an industrial cooking sheet. 4.) Book 15 minutes on your calendar. 5.) Bust out the spices!
To my advantage over some of you in your larger living quarters, I don't have to mow the lawn on my weekends. Guess condo living does have some good points. I also can eat delicious, crispy kale chips from the second floor just like people on the first!
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