Kale is the trending super food. So what's so great about this green leaf? Packed with calcium and vitamin K, a fat-soluble nutrient (which means absorbed better with fat) needed for Ca-binding and blood coagulation in our body, this veggie is a great way to prevent fractures and hemorrhage, along with providing some antioxidants to improve our overall being.
A common question regarding eating a vegetable raw or cooked is whether or not the nutrient content is lost. Nutrients are easily leached out into water when an item is boiled, but frying/sauteing is not the healthiest cooking alternative. That is why I roast a lot of my vegetables, including kale, in the oven if I am not eating them raw. The good thing about vitamin K found in greens is that it is heat-stable, meaning it will not lose its integrity easily to heat.
This fact makes me feel better about roasting my kale in my snack: Kale Chips.
Ingredients
1 bundle of kale, washed, dried, and pulled from stem
1 T EVOO
1 t garlic powder
Sea salt to taste (lower in sodium, and doesn't take as much to get that salty flavor!)
Preheat oven to 300° F
Shred kale into small, bite-size pieces. Spread them evenly on a cookie sheet. Lightly drizzle the leaves with the olive oil, which will help you absorb your vitamin K and make the chips crispy! Sprinkle the garlic powder and sea salt. Place in oven, cooking for 15-20 min, or until crisped.The secret behind this is to cook slowly and at a lower temperature, which keeps the kale from becoming bitter.
Have some healthy sides to go with your chips! I paired mine with strawberries and cheddar slices.
Send me your questions/comments! Hope you enjoy the "Taste of Eating Right!"
I tried these and they are addictive! And you don't feel bad for eating them. I think they would be good in salads or added to other dishes to provide different textures and a different flavor. Thanks for the idea!
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