3.10.2012

Check out my new blog

It's the blog I travel with.

www.kurklesabroad.blogspot.com

It may end up being very exciting over the next 10 days.  That all depends on my internet availability.

3.09.2012

Popcorn is so good

We have been doing a winter CSA.  It comes once a month and has been incredible.  We get lots of root veggies and some greenhouse greens.  We also get some fun surprise stuff like beans, dried chiles, sundried tomatoes... and popcorn.

This is by far the best popcorn I have ever had.  It is amazing.





Stovetop Popcorn is super easy.  Even if you don't have one of the fun contraptions seen above.  Just use a large pot that has a lid that will fit. 

Put your pot on Med-High heat.  Add 2 T oil and 1/2 c popcorn kernels.  Pop the lid on. Shake the pot to coat the kernels and let sit until you hear popping.  Once your kernels start to pop start shaking your pot constantly over the burner.  Use pot holders! You will need to hold the lid on, but slightly off to allow steam to escape. You will be doing this while you are shaking your pan.  When the popping starts to slow to a couple seconds between pops, you are done.  Remove from heat immediately. Pour your popcorn into a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and your choice of toppings.  We have been doing garlic pressed into melted butter, pour over popcorn and grate parm on top.  Mmmmmmmmmm.

3.03.2012

Kale Chips

The best way to eat kale is in chip form.

One thing I never missed when I went veg and then vegan (not currently vegan) was junk food.  I try to stay away from processed food as much as possible.  It is so bad for your body.  No nutritional value, usually too much salt or sugar and tons of preservatives.  Plus when you stop eating most processed foods for a few years, you realize how bad it tastes when you try it again. 

Kale chips, however, super healthy! And are a quick answer to junk food nostalgia.  Kale has Indole 3 Carbinole which blocks cancer cells and boost DNA repaire.  It also has these friends hanging out inside its green walls: carotenoids, vitamins C,  K(lots of this one), E, B6, B2, B1, B3, manganese, copper, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, protein, folate and phosphorous. If you miss Doritos, kale could be your new best friend.  My friend Danae can make kale chips that taste just like Tostinos pizza roll.

These are my pizza kale chips:

Wash, stem and dry 1 head of kale.
If you get it from a CSA or Farmers Market always do a good bug check.  Bugs love the curly leaves.

Kale chips benefit greatly from using a mixture of fresh and dried ingredients.


In a blender, blend:
1 c cashews (soaked and rinsed)
1-2 T lemon juice
3/4 c water (use tomato soak water if possible)
1/4 t salt
3 T nutritional yeast
1 t onion salt (can use fresh onion, start small)
1 t dried oregano
1/8 t pimenton
1/4 bell pepper (not green)
5-6 sundried tomatoes reconstituted
pepper to taste
If you want a little kick, add red pepper flakes.

Mix your sauce in with your kale, coating well.  Be careful not to mix it too much because your kale will wilt.

Try to spread them so that they don't overlap too much.  Dehydrate 4-8 hrs on 115. I usually let mine go overnight, if going overnight turn them down to 105.

New York

New York
I came home to you!