Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

I have found that sometimes I will resist things simply because they are the hottest thing du jour, like Tweeting or Black Swan. I can also swing the other way and dive into something headlong simply because everyone else in the world thinks it is worthy, like vegan cupcakes and Twilight.

I have felt  both ways about kale chips. I don’t know why but there it is. I am still pretending to be the girl that kind of dislikes kale, but the truth is that I love kale. Why wouldn’t I want to make junk food out of it?

This week in our CSA we got a ton of the freshest and most perky kale. Yesterday I decided to make it in to Kale Chips, Two Ways. The most exciting part of creating kale chips is in the flavor concocting. I felt like the Willy Wonka of kale and you will too.

The two combos I tried were really delish, especially when savored together with a really cold brewski.

Kale Chips Two Ways

By: S. Duquet

Ingredients

1 large bunch of kale soaked, rinsed, dried, torn off  spine and into pieces (not too small)

cooking spray (I used olive oil spray)

Vinegar and Black Pepper Chips

3 tsp white vinegar

malt vinegar

a ton of fresh cracked black pepper

2 tsp liquid aminos

Hot & Smoky Chips

1 tsp nutritional yeast

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

2 tsp liquid aminos

Make It Happen

~Preheat oven to 350 F

~Put half of your kale in a large bowl. Spray  few spritzes of spray oil on it and toss to coat.

~Sprinkle all flavor enhancing ingredients onto each batch of kale and toss to coat. I mixed with my hands because it was easier to make sure the kale was getting covered with spicy goodness.

~Lay in a single layer on a cookie sheet

~Spritz with liquid aminos before popping into oven. I also spritzed the vinegar chips with malt vinegar for an additional layer of flavor.

~Bake until desired crispness. I moved mine around on the tray when I checked on them and removed the ones that were already done (and ate them).

~Let cool and enjoy. Store in an airtight container (yeah right).

The funny thing about these chips is that I could not figure out if I liked them or hated them. I kept tasting them piece by piece. Mulling it over, having one more, one more after that when all of a sudden I realized that I wasn’t mulling, I was becoming addicted. Who eats that much kale in one sitting?? They had to be taken away from me so I could eventually photograph what was left.

Have you made these dangerous chips before? Please share the combos you have tried or look forward to trying soon.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, dairy free, going veg, hot and smoky kale chips, kale chips, no salt kale chips, plant based diet, plant strong, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan chips, vegan entertaining, vegan experience, vegan junk food, vegan kale chips, vegan wannabe, vegetarian entertaining, vinegar and pepper kale chips