Created by Soul: Kale Chips....

Went to the local Farmer’s Market last weekend. I didn’t know I had one so close until I googled “farmers market” and behold they have one near the Orange Circle. What the! All this time! So close! Mom, Vivian, Vivian’s friend, Luna and I went. But when got there saw the sign that said “no pets”…. discrimination I tell ya! Luckily Vivian and her friend were more into walking around the circle than going into the farmer’s market and they took Luna with them for a walk. Anyway, back to the market…it’s actually pretty small in comparison with others I’ve been to and the prices seemed a bit higher, but still purchased some good stuff (we practically had lunch there with all the free samples they give!). I saw the stand with organic kale and wanted to try it as I heard/read/was told that it is better for you/me/us than spinach. Now, I REALLY like spinach…raw, cooked, whatevs…I like it! So, I’m at the kale stand and the lady/man (sorry couldn’t really tell) had three different varieties…the regular kind you find as decoration on plates, purple, and black. I was told the regular (or as they in the know call it “green”) can be bitter, purple less bitter and the black is better if eating raw as not bitter at all.

Purple Kale

There was a customer that had just purchased a bag full of kale and she said, “You can still use the green as kale chips”. I’m like “what the heck is a kale chip?!?” but I kept it to myself as everyone around nodded their heads in agreement. I was asking the lady/man questions regarding the black kale as I didn't even know there was such a thing and the the customer lady kept saying loudly, "kale chips are great", and "you can also use the purple for kale chips, they are so good", and "oh, kale chips are the best"...I'm like "shut your kale loving mouth lady! I'm talking here!" But I didn't, I just looked at her and smiled and decided to go with the purple, as it was less expensive than the black.

And it's prettier too!

Mom was impressed with my restraint....I think she thought I was going to shove a kale into the woman's mouth to shut her up. Like I would! OK, so I thought about it. ANYway....I had to google kale chips to find out why they had such a hold on the crazy kale lady and decided I should make some to really find out. But then forgot. But! Then I remembered last night and made them. They are actually pretty good. Light and crispy. However, I definitely will not be spouting the virtues of kale chips to unsuspecting bystanders!

Kale Chips:

adapted from Melissa d'Arabian recipe

2 tbs. olive oil

1 head of kale

Sea salt

parmesan cheese (optional)

Set oven at 275 degrees. Wash and dry each kale leaf and remove the ribs. Once rib removed cut leaf in half. In bowl toss the kale with the olive oil and sprinkle sea salt. Toss again. Place each kale piece on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes then turn each "chip" and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

I added the parm cheese after I turned them...about 3 minutes before they were done.