We are members of a CSA {Community Supported Agriculture}, some of you may call it a co-op. We get a box of fresh, local veggies delivered each week, spring through fall.
I do enjoy the variety of veggies I get, however I have {several times} gotten veggies that I have never eaten or cooked with before.
One of those veggies – kale. So I Googled it and found several recipes for kale chips. Interesting. Well, I had a big bunch of kale that I needed to use, so what the heck?! This recipe is a combo of several I found.
Rinse and chop your kale into 2 to 3-inch pieces.
Place in a large bowl, drizzle with 3 Tbsp olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
Toss to ensure all pieces are covered with oil and seasoning.
Spread on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning and 1/4 tsp chili powder. Bake in a 350* oven for about 25 minutes.
The verdict. . . they were ok. I forgot to take a photo of the cooked kale chips, but basically they looked like the picture above but a little darker green. They were crispy and nicely seasoned. They kind of tasted like a lighter version of broccoli. Not bad, just nothing out of this world. Anyway, just wanted to share.
Hey Jen! I have heard that using specialty salts with flavor, like hickory smoked salt or the like, helps a lot with the flavor, as does a dash of honey with the oil. I haven't tried either, it's just what I have picked up from other blogs. Thanks for sharing your attempt. I am going to give it a shot soon!
I made it on Sunday night as well but just salt and pepper. I had the same feeling, nothing extra ordinary, we said "eh, tried but not making it again probably". it is a good way to use kale if you are not going to use at all and it might go bad. It is kinda hot to be making soups with kale anyway.
Okay even though they were not out of this world awesome! I still love that you attempted to make kale chips. I want to do this…maybe I will add a little extra something to make them zzziiiing!
We LOVE kale chips! My husband even requests them. We use a little less oil (and just drizzle a bit over them in the pan, not toss, I like them to get really crispy!), a bit of salt, and the tiniest sprinkling of parmesan cheese. We also use a bit higher oven heat (375-400). Give them another shot, they might grow on you!
I LOVE my CSA box! We've never gotten Kale but my cooking limits have been challenged, first time I've cooked with rhubarb or leeks. If we get kale I'll have to try kale chips!
We got Kale this week from our CSA…and a purple kohlrabi (thank GOD I watched CHOPPED last night so I know what NOT to do with it)!!! I love trying new stuff…I actually wilt my kale with some baslamic vingar, garlic and onions…tastes similar to cooked spinich! YUMMY!
Have a great day!
Steph
http://www.alwaysjustamom.blogspot.com
I wish I would have seen this before I cooked the kale from our csa… mine had the texture of neoprene!
Jen, what CSA do you belong to? I moved to the area about 2 years ago and have been looking for one. Great blog!!!