Kale Chips - A Recipe Revisted

We usually have kale in our fridge. I say usually right off the bat because it often goes like this; when we want kale chips, there is no kale to be found for miles. When we don't have that snack on the brain, we seem to have a build up of kale.

Last night - it all went together so perfectly. We had kale available and they were definitely on the brain.

I have posted this recipe before, but I have emails asking for it repeatedly so I thought I would post it for everyone. Enjoy!

Kale Chips

I have been a potato chip lover my entire life. When it was time to say goodbye to them, I still wanted something crunchy, tasty and ohhhh why not...good for me too. Was there such a thing?

It turns out - there was! Kale chips have that thin potato crunchiness that I love so much! Not to mention it is loaded with so many nutrients we don't even have the space on this blog to type it all out......just know they have so much goodness in them.....this blog is about snacking.......

So...how to make these little yummies.....

Take as much kale as you want to make for your snack. I usually use a bit more because once these are done, they don't last long.....and a little more won't hurt.

Strip the kale off of the stem (that stuff doesn't taste good left on) and discard it or juice it - your choice.

Spritz the kale with olive oil. You don't want too much oil on the kale as it makes it heavy and then you don't get a good crunch - they just stay soggy. So be gentle. I sometimes hand toss the kale in olive oil.

We add spices sometimes, but generally, a sprinkling of parmesan and into the oven it goes. We like to keep it simple.

In the oven at around 350, watch them closely! You'll know when they're done - you don't want them brown and flat in your pan - that means they are past the point of edible. Crunchy and roasted, but not crisped nuclear. Find the happy medium in between those two points and you're good to go.

You can dip them in something if you like, but I always preferred them plain. It doesn't matter how you choose to snack on these, they're good for you! Enjoy!

Do You Happen To Like Chocolate?

I have the best recipe for a quick, at home chocolate craving solution!

I was in the kitchen last night, wondering how I was going to use up the bananas that were going bad fast enough. Banana smoothies and banana ice cream make really satisfying treats, but I was in the mood for something a little more.....naughty.

I wanted chocolate!

OK, so it may not have been that dramatic, but you get where I'm going. I zipped to the cupboard, threw a pot on the stove and whipped up the best tasting, best for you type-o-chocolate I could muster.....

........and then I ate it all. Oh....my....

Here's how it all went down.....

This isn't a recipe I have ever actually measured. It requires certain elements for success. The perfect temperature, the right mix of ingredients and the right taste tester.

I start with about 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. I keep the temperature on my stove between medium and low, but closer to medium. If you see the chocolate getting grainy or thick, it is too hot. I add 2 tablespoons of honey. You can adjust this to your own preferences. I then add about 3 tablespoons of raw powdered cacao.

Keep stirring, breaking up any lumpy bits. You want to see this the consistency of semi-thick, warm chocolate so use your discretion. it really is about finding what works for you.

Once the chocolate cools slightly, take a piece of wax paper and pour the chocolate on to it. Be sure to taste your concoction before you pour it all out onto the paper. Several times I've been so excited to have it that I forget to add enough honey. You can also add an extract of some sort. If you like orange chocolate, add some orange! Lemon, mint, peppermint - add whatever your heart desires!

Want to know what I added??

I added Goji berries!

Ohhhh these little heavenly wonders - they are so yummy to eat and so good for me!

I sprinkle them in to the chocolate while it is still warm. Sometimes I press them into the chocolate and sometimes I don't. I'm a rebel that way.

I add everything I want to my snack and then on to a plate and into the freezer it goes!

Less than an hour later we had rock hard chocolate!

Note: This chocolate, as I mentioned, is softer than store bought chocolate bars. It will stay solid but if the temperature rises (don't hold it in your hand too long) you are going to get messy. I love how the Goji berries get like rice crisps. It adds a little crunch I adore! Add your favorite nuts (chopped) or raisins.

Doesn't this photo look messy? It is!

We also take warm chocolate and drizzle it over banana slices and frozen blueberries.

The warm chocolate meets the cold berries and forms a chocolate crust *cue heavenly music here.*

The plate of goodies shown (left) is more than enough for us as a nice snack. We also find the healthier we eat, the less (real) food we need to fill us up versus Standard American Diet food.

So the next time you feel like snacking on something chocolatey, choose this! You can drizzle it on just about anything - including yourself! ;)