Kale chips

Kale chips are so easy to make and are a healthy option to regular crisps. I make mine in the dehydrator with a smudging of coconut oil, if you want some extra omega 3's you could use olive or hemp seed oil and seasoning. Kale is considered a superfood as it shines with a multitude of potent vitamins and minerals. Kale chips are so cheap and easy to make and very...very tasty, either on their own for smacks or sprinkled onto the top of foods like salads, gorgeous on the top of cheesy dishes like macaroni etc..

Kale is a great source of dietary fibre, calcium, vitamins A,C,K and B6, protein, fibre, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. So that alongside a lower calorific value compared to fried crisps is the reason why they are so good for you. The problem with certain shop bought packets are that they are often fried in hydrogenated fats which cause inflammation in the body and too much of this can be toxic and lead to other health problems, also they can have high levels of table salt too.

With a whole bag of Kale I use a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil or olive or hemp seed oil if you want to get more omega 3's in your diet, I just prefer the taste of coconut oil in these. I massage it into the leaves with my seasoning, then I dehydrate them so that they retain as much of the nutrients as possible, the coconut oil gives them that nice taste and also adds to the nutritional value.

Raw organic coconut oil although considered a saturated fat works differently in the body that other saturated fats. It has Medium chain triglycerides (MTC'S), which absorb passively and enter the blood stream inside the gut. In the gut the lauric acid and other MCT's are reported to actually speed up metabolism and increase blood HDL (good levels of cholesterol). Medium chain fatty acids are processed in the liver which means they are immediately converted to energy instead of being stored as fat. That's why in moderation coconut oil is now considered a good fat and has been reported to even help with weight loss, give your brain a boost and give your body more energy. Fats also help with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. There is much to write about this oil that it deserves a post of it's own but in the meantime...It has antioxidants, anti-fungal and antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial properties in it, so it's very good for the immune system.

Ingredients:

Bag of organic kale

Two teaspoons of coconut oil, olive oil or hemp seed oil

Sprinkling of onion salt (around a teaspoon)

Couple of pinches of Himalayan salt and black pepper

Method:

Massage oil into the leaves and then add seasoning, massage again making sure the seasoning is all over the leaves. Put some greaseproof paper circles into your dehydrator, then sprinkle it on, dehydrate for around 14 hours until crispy. Will keep in airtight container for six months.