Healthy Greens Even a Meat and 'Taters Cowboy Would Eat

If you are even the slightest bit alert to food fads, you may have noticed kale has become quite the attention hog.  Well-deserved perhaps as it turns out it is certainly a nutritious powerhouse and in the cruciferous family which is a great cancer preventative.  But, the bitterness that sometimes accompanies kale and its family members can be a turn off to many.  So, here is something you really must try that has no bitterness at all – Barbequed Baked Kale Chips.  And it is so easy to prepare that even a hyper carnivore cowboy at home on the ranch could do it or at least lasso some of yours.

Barbequed Kale Chips

Gather

• 1 small bundle of kale – any variety but larger and flatter leaves are easier to work with
• 1 tablespoon melted ghee or clarified butter
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder or a little more if you like it hot
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

parchment paper
oven proof baking rack

Now do this

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Wash kale well and cut vein out of center of leaves and leave leaf pieces as large as possible.  Dry very well.
• Combine melted ghee or clarified butter and syrup together.
• Create spice mixture by combining all spices and salt in a small bowl.  Taste and adjust to your level of spice.  A little more salt, a little more heat, etc.
• Line a cookie sheet or two with parchment paper for quick clean up. Place baking rack on top of parchment paper. This can help heat in your oven to circulate over the kale creating a more crispy texture.
• Thinly brush ghee and syrup mixture over each side of each leaf.
• Place the leaves in a single layer on the baking rack.
• Sprinkle first side of leaves with half of spice mixture evenly.
• Bake in oven for 12 minutes until leaves start to look crispy. 
• Flip the leaves and sprinkle the other half of the spice mixture on the other side of the leaves.
• Bake another 10-12 minutes or until very crispy. Depending on your oven, additional time may be needed to achieve the correct texture.

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