Kale chips: the most simplistic of recipes

Kale sure gets a lot of hype... and for good reason. Did you know that this leafy green contains the highest amount of vitamin K (which is needed for calcium absorption and blood clotting) in comparison to all other green, leafy veggies? Also a great source of energy, kale is packed with iron to give you a boost when you're in need of a pick-me-up (just be sure to eat it with a food rich in vitamin C so that the iron can be absorbed).

Yes, kale does have a bitter taste when eaten raw, but there are plenty of ways to liven up this superfood. Kale makes a great addition to juices, smoothies, quesadillas, salads, soups, hummus, sautés, pasta dishes... I've even come across a recipe for a kale margarita! It's amazing how versatile this food is.

If you're lacking a juicer and aren't in the mood to prepare a full-on meal, another simple and delicious way to reap kale's benefits is by making kale chips. You could always buy them at your local health foods store, but making them yourself is FAR less expensive and takes very little effort. You can make your kale chips as sophisticated or basic as you'd like by adding various spices, lemon juice, pepper flakes, parmesan, or just by drizzling some olive oil over them and popping them into the oven. That's exactly what I did, and they were absolutely amazing!

All it took was pulling out a baking tray, covering it with some tin foil, spreading some washed kale over the sheet, and lightly coating them with olive oil. After the oven was heated to 225 (F), I popped them in for 35 minutes, and voila! Kale chips!