Some of us are sweet people; some of us are salty people. No, I’m not referring to personality, I’m referring to palate preference.
Me, I’m a salty person. Give me a bag of potato chips over a piece of cake almost any day. (I had to insert the “almost” because there are some days when nothing will satisfy like chocolate!)
In my quest to eat healthier and more natural, recently I decided to purchase a food dehydrator and this weekend I used it for the first time to make Kale Chips.
I’ve never eaten kale before but from everything I have read it’s supposed to be über healthy so I bought a bunch at the grocery store and gave it a try.
First, I washed it and spun the leaves dry in my salad spinner.
Then, I assembled the ingredients. Lemon, salt, and olive oil. Simple.
I whisked these ingredients together in a bowl and pored the mixure over the kale greens. Then, using my hands, I smooshed everything together. The recipe said to do this and I realized why when I washed the greens. They behave much like nasturtium greens in that they seem to repel water. The smooshing is necessary to get the salt, oil and lemon to adhere to the kale.
Finally, I spread all the greens out on the trays of the dehydrator, assembled the trays, and turned it on.
Four hours later…voila! Kale chips!
They may look odd and, perhaps even unappetizing, but I can assure you that they are delicious. I’ve got kale in my garden this year and I’m looking forward to making a batch with my very own home-grown greens in the coming weeks.
Have you ever tried kale chips or used a dehydrator for other food?
OKRA! I had tons of it one year! I burned up the dehydrator that summer. Washed and slicked the okra;while it was damp I sloshed it around in oil, garlic powder salt and cayene pepper. Terrific! Best okra this sideof Louisiana gumbo!!
Okra…mmmmm…I have not tried that before, Nancilynn. Thanks for the tip!
Wow, never tried Kale this way. I’m more a sweet person, but combine sweet and salty and I’m also on board! We have a dehydrator that my hubby loves playing around with. I’ll have to show him this! Thanks!
We’ve done lots of fruit on our dehydrator…but haven’t used it in a couple of years. I would’ve never thought to do kale! What a great idea…and it’s so good for you! Ira loves kale — maybe I should make some for him.
Give my best to Ira, Carmen.
Sounds good. Can’t wait to see what else you try.
Banana chips – the best I’ve ever had.
Linda,
I make Kale chips the exact same way. You might also try using Celtic sea salt and sprinkling the leaves with Brewers yeast. You can also rub the leaves with flavored oils. I also make crackers in my dehydrator. Let me know if you want to venture into that direction and I’ll email you some recipes.
Jan
Hi Jan
Thank you for the tips on other ways to make Kale chips. I am very interested in making crackers in the dehydrator and would love it if you would share some recipes.
Linda
Ooooh, I’ve heard nothing but good about these! I, too, am a “salt” person. Well, to be honest, a “salt and fat” person.
🙂 Mmmm.
Pearl