Baked Kale Chips

Kale Chips? A friend brought this to my attention a couple of weeks ago and asked me to make them. I took down the recipe but soon forgot about it. Tonight I decided to stop at the grocery store and pick up some Kale. I looked up other recipes on the internet and some very good information about Kale. I have to admit, I don’t cook with kale as much as I should considering the health benefits listed below. So Kale Chips, they have a special flavor, they do not taste like potato chips like some internet reviews suggest, but like potato chips, you can’t eat just one. They have their own flavor, very subtle, but surprisingly good. I made two batches, the first batch I ate with a glass of Merlot and thought they tasted wonderful. I ate my dinner a wonderful salad and decided to try another batch, they were good but not as good as the first batch, I poured another glass of wine and surprisingly, the wine enhanced the flavor of the Kale. You make a batch or two and see how you like them.

INGREDIENTS:

• One bunch of kale
• Olive oil – about a tablespoon
• Kosher or Sea Salt
• Garlic powder

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil
3. Spray foil with cooking spray
4. Tear apart the kale leaves into bite size pieces and place on cookie sheet
5. Sprinkle a little olive oil on them and toss to coat
6. Sprinkle on salt and garlic powder, be creative and try your own seasoning. I would start out with simple until you taste your first batch.
7. Bake at 350 for 8 – 10 minutes
8. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes and enjoy

Kale or borecole is a form of cabbage, with green or purple leaves, in which the central leaves do not form a head. It is considered to be closer to wild cabbage than most domesticated forms.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Eating Kale

By Alison Lewis

Kale is being called “the new beef”, “the queen of greens” and “a nutritional powerhouse.” Here are ten great benefits of adding more kale to your diet:

1. Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat. It is great for aiding in digestion and elimination with its great fiber content. It’s also filled with so many nutrients, vitamins, folate and magnesium as well as those listed below.

2. Kale is high in iron. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef. Iron is essential for good health, such as the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more.

3. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions including normal bone health and the prevention of blood clotting. Also increased levels of vitamin K can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants, such as carotenoids and flavonoids help protect against various cancers.

5. Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help, fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.

6. Kale is great for cardiovascular support. Eating more kale can help lower cholesterol levels.

7. Kale is high in Vitamin A. Vitamin A is great for your vision, your skin as well as helping to prevent lung and oral cavity cancers.

8. Kale is high in Vitamin C. This is very helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and your hydration.

9. Kale is high in calcium. Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk, which aids in preventing bone loss, preventing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility

10. Kale is a great detox food. Kale is filled with fiber and sulfur, both great for detoxifying your body and keeping your liver healthy.