Raw Parmesan Kale Chips

These Parmesan Kale Chips are so healthy & delicious.  We had these at my recent "Healthy Desserts & Treats Class" and everyone loved them.  I also had everyone try them at my recent "Asian Cooking Class" and they all loved them as well. My 21 year old son probably ate an entire bunch of  the chips. He said they were so good. I think most people like them. They are a great healthy replacement for a salty chip snack.  Diana Stobo's video below shows how to make them.  Diana is the author of "Get Naked Fast"which is all about stripping all the unwanted foods and additives from your body. I have made this recipe with both cashew parmesan and walnut parmesan and they are both delicious.  Diana uses the walnut parmesan which is what I used for my recent treats class. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can make these in your oven as well.  They won't be considered raw, but they are still so good for you:)  Bake in oven at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until kale is crisp.

A prime benefit of  kale is its high nutrient content. It is one of the most nutritious foods. Kale is a very good source of dietary fiber, calcium, manganese, copper, and potassium, as well as being particularly rich in vitamins A, C, B6 and lutein. One cup of kale contains just 33 calories, but provides over 200% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin A, an important nutrient for vision.

Unfortunately, kale is one of the vegetables with the most pesticide residues, and therefore it is best to choose organic kale. If organic is not available, be sure to wash it thoroughly before eating. For a ready source of fresh, pesticide-free kale, try planting some in your garden. It is easy to grow, and does especially well in cooler climates.
Other health benefits include:
•removing toxins from the body
•improving the immune system
•promoting and maintaining weight loss
•helping in the prevention of constipation, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure.

Nutritional Yeast: nutritional yeast is grown specifically for its nutritive value. In addition to protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, it contains additional functional and beneficial components such as beta-1,3 glucan, trehalose, mannan and glutathione. Studies have show that these components have potential health benefits such as, improved immune response, reduction of cholesterol, and anti-cancer properties. The B-complex vitamins are essential to the wellness of body, mind, and spirit. Thiamin (B1) deficiency can lead to hand and foot numbness as well as damage to the central nervous system. Vegetarians, diabetics, and women taking birth control pills are highly susceptible to Riboflavin (B2) deficiency. Niacin (B3). Pyridoxine (B6) is needed for the production of antibodies and red blood cells, and promotes a normal functioning nervous and musculoskeletal system. Cyanocobalamin (B12) helps prevent nerve damage and anemia, aids in cell and blood formation, proper digestion, fertility and growth. This vitamin is also helpful during pregnancy and lactation.  Choose a Nutritional yeast that has been fortified to give you 150% of your B12 needs.



Raw Parmesan Kale Chips

Printable Recipe

1 or 2 bunches of Lacinato Kale (a.k.a. Dino Kale) You can also use Curly Kale, etc.

1 Tbsp. cold pressed olive oil

1/2 cup raw Parmesan (recipe below)

1.)  De-stem kale, wash and put on paper towel and dry leaves.

2.)  Cut each kale piece into 2 strips.

3.)  Lay kale directly on dehydrator sheet or you can use parchment paper.  Brush olive oil on each piece.

4.)  Sprinkle with desired amount of raw Parmesan mixture to each piece.

5.)  Dehydrate at 110 degrees.  If using parchment paper, remove leaves after 2 hours an place directly on dehydrator tray.  Dry an additional 8 hours. I have had them ready in 3 hours when placing them directly on the dehydrator tray.  They are very forgiving-I have left them on my tray for 10 hours and they turned out perfect.

Raw Parmesan

1/4 cup walnuts

1/4 cup nutritional yeast  Now Foods, Nutritional Fortified Yeast

1/2 tsp. sea salt

(grind in small blender until fine)