Spiced Kale Chips

So I guess it's not totally quiet over here after all. I'm discovering lots of delicious concoctions and letting my creative juices flow as I try and follow this diet. I have always loved kale chips, so this is nothing new. We are running over with it in the garden right now, and I need to find lots of ways to use it up fast. I really needed a salty snack one afternoon, so I did some googling on how to spice up my kale chips and came upon a recipe that I adapted to suit my taste. These babies are fabulous.

Spiced Kale Chips
-adapted from ohsheglows.com

• approx. 1/2 bunch kale leaves
• 1 t. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt 

Mix spices together in a small bowl. Wash, dry well, and tear kale leaves into small pieces. Toss and coat with the olive oil, rubbing them a bit to get them all covered. Then toss the spice mixture in and toss again. Now, the recipe called for using ALL of this mixture on the leaves, and I think that would be too much. Instead, I used half of the spice mix and then used the other half the next day. If you are using an entire bunch of kale, then by all means, use all the mix. I make about a half a bunch of kale for just myself to snack on. Spread out the leaves on a parchment lined baking sheet. Don't overcrowd them. If you are making just a half bunch, one sheet pan will be fine. If you're baking up a full bunch, please use two sheets. Bake the chips at 300 degrees for 10 minutes. Then, turn the pan and bake for another 10-12 minutes. You want the chips to be crisp and not soggy...but don't burn them. Take them out of the oven, let sit on the sheet for about 2-3 minutes, then devour them right away. They are not good leftover, so don't try and be smart and double the batch thinking you'll have a snack for later. 

This is what "happy hour" looks like at my house right now. Kale chips and raspberry-mint-lime infused sparkling water. Sigh.

Incidentally, I happened to be wearing my new favorite t-shirt when I made these kale chips. Kale for the win!