Simple Series :: Kale

The Simple Series is back! It’s actually harder to compile three simple preparations than it is to post a more complicated recipe. But with Kale, I’ve been finding that the simpler the better and while I’m a fan of all three recipes featured in this Simple Series (including Raw Emerald Kale Salad and Steamed Sesame Kale), I am absolutely addicted to the Kale Chips. They are exactly what they sound like – crispy pieces of Kale with just a sprinkling of salt and a little olive oil to help them crisp up (baked, not fried). I realized just how good they were when a friend asked me how long they would keep in an airtight container, and I said “I have no idea – they’ve never lasted that long in our house!” Guilt-free chips...

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Simple Series :: Kale

Simple Series :: Cucumbers

It’s taken almost two full seasons of boxes, but I think I’m finally getting the hang of it. One of the biggest hurdles that I had to get over was the pressure that I put on myself to use all of the vegetables in creative and elaborate ways. I would pour over cookbooks and search online for that perfect recipe to use turnips or spend half a day cooking a meal with kale. And then I hit that ‘‘ah-ha” moment when I realized that I really didn’t need to do much at all with the vegetables – I could let them do most of the work for me and allow their flavor and freshness to speak for themselves. So I calmed down a bit and started preparing more simple dishes. The Simple Series brings some of these preparations to you, focusing on one vegetable at a time. Each Simple Series includes three recipes: Simple, Simpler and Simplest and all three require only a few ingredients and minimal time in the kitchen.

Recipes, cookbooks and involved preparations still have a place in my kitchen, but it’s a more balanced (and sane) way of cooking now. The Simple Series fills in the gaps on a busy weeknight when the only thing I have time for is a quick cucumber salad.

Click here to download and print a pdf of this recipe:

Simple Series :: Cucumbers