Kale/Vegetable crisps

I'm a pretty sociable person, I like going out, having a good meal, a good drink and a good time. That's why when you're on something like Pronokal it can be a little difficult fitting it - especially when you're out with people you've just met. Just such an occasion is happening tomorrow - Halloween! I LOVE Halloween but this year I'm in a new environment with new people who have asked those invited to bring food and films. I don't want to isolate myself by not eating so instead I decided to make crisps.

A vegetable that often seems to get turned into crisps is kale, I first came across the concept when reading what Jennifer Aniston ate whilst getting in shape for 'We're the Millers'. So I bought a giant bag, decided the many, many recipes I looked at were simple enough, adapted them for pronokal and off I went.


What you'll need: Kale, salt (I like rock salt best), olive oil, 1 cal olive oil spray, baking tray, aluminium paper 

• Pre-heat the oven to 250 

• Line the baking tray with foil

• Spray the foil with the olive oil spray until it's been covered - 4/5 should do at most

• Prepare the kale. I bought a ready washed bag from Tesco so all I had to do was break the leaves into bite sized pieces and if there was a big stem piece then I threw it away.

• load the kale onto the foil

• If using rock salt, crush it. Just put the salt on a chopping board or plate; take a glass and grind it until the salt is in very small pieces. 

• Put one tablespoon of olive oil on the kale and add the salt. 

• Massage the mixture together, apparently massaging the oil into the kale will take away the bitterness. 

• Stick the tray in the oven and cook for about 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it though; depending upon your oven it could cook quicker.  

Finally, enjoy. Eat it straight away or store it in an air tight container. I'm taking this batch (what's left after my hallmates and I attacked it) to the party so I can join in the munching. 

For the others at the party, I also made beetroot and carrot crisps. Same premise though they need to be in the oven longer (about 45 mins then flip, they'll turn crispy when they cool a little and if not then back in the oven for another 20 mins)  - just slice as thinly and consistently as possible (or use a mandolin if you have one) and add a little more oil than you would with the kale. For the carrots I also added coriander and pepper as extra seasoning.

Happy Halloween!