Kale is the new spinach.

I laughed out loud when I heard this line on Modern Family.  Then again, I laugh out loud a lot during that show.

I had JUST had that same conversation with my husband a few days prior.  I told him about how kale was popping up everywhere.  It seemed like every blog article, cooking show, food related magazine was hyping kale.  Whereas a few months ago the only time I even saw anyone use the stuff was in Portuguese Soup.

I had seen multiple recipes for Kale Chips — how they were, in fact, a crunchy, uber-healthy and delicious substitute for potato chips.  I love chips.  I don’t buy them, because moderation is not in my vocabulary.  If I eat one, I eat a bag — but I love the salty crunch that chips provide.  I was fairly certain that a green leafy vegetable was NOT going to be an adequate substitute.

I was wrong. Sort of.  Kale chips are awesome!  They crunch and disintegrate in your mouth like a chip.  It really does satisfy the salt/crunch craving.  If I could only figure out how to make them in barbecue or sour cream & onion, I’d be all set.  If you haven’t tried them at home, what are you waiting for?  They’re cheap, easy to make and something that you can feel good about feeding to your kids – WIN, WIN, WIN.

Kale Chips

(adapted from multiple recipes)

1 bunch kale – I used the cheap, curly stuff that cost about $1.00 per bunch

1 TBS olive oil

Salt to taste

Thoroughly wash the kale.  Remove the tough, woody stems and break into bite size-ish pieces.  Dry kale THOROUGHLY.  If you have a salad spinner, this would be a great time to use it.  You want to get out ALL of the moisture from the kale so that it bakes to a crisp, rather than steams to mush.  I don’t have a spinner, so I simply put the kale between paper towels, patted it dry, and then let it air dry for 30 minutes, or so.

Preheat oven to 350.  Place kale in a single layer on a cookie sheet (or 2).  Drizzle olive oil over the kale and toss to coat.  Bake for 20, or until crisp — and by crisp, I mean that when you pick up a piece you’ll be able to crumble it, easily, between your fingers.

Toss with salt and enjoy.  That’s it.  Totally easy and totally delicious.

And yes, for the record, my kids LOVED it   In fact, they even requested it as a vegetable for dinner.