RAW VEGAN BLOODY MARY

I was really surprised at how delicious this tasted. Then again, if I thought a moment longer I would've realized it shouldn't be surprising at all. I love tomatoes, garlic, lemon and spices! But I've never been into alcoholic drinks, so the idea of Bloody Mary was not exactly a turn on. However, it's one of my moms favourite cocktails so I decided to make a healthy vegan version just for the challenge. It turned out splendidly. I actually didn't want to hand the glass over to mom because I wanted it for myself! I didn't add any booze (to my mothers dismay) but if you want to, don't let me stop you. This is great a juice recipe on it's own, or a terrific healthy base for a real cocktail.

the ellusive kale chip

Rarely is the kale chip able to be photographed. It lives a short but full life of passion, love and flavour; until it is quickly destroyed because of it's own irresistibility. Tragic for the kale chip - oh so delicious for its hunter. 

If kale ever becomes extinct - you can blame me.

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When it comes to kale chips, I am a merciless hunter. I ferociously eat every one in sight, often not pausing to breathe, until before I realize it - 3 bunches of kale have disappeared. Every time I make kale chips I say to myself "Okay Emily, THIS TIME you need to leave some for others." 

It never works.

Today I wanted to make kale chips because I had extra Pad Thai sauce and Hemp Sauce which I planned on using as the dressing. Well, my mom and I went to the market and bought 3 bunches. When I got home this evening I dressed them all and stuck them in the dehydrator to blossom into glory. 

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I tend to eat them at all stages - when they're totally fresh with just the dressing on, when they're starting to soften and get gooey as they warm up, and when they're finally a crunchy chip. So by time they reach the last stage, most of them are gone anyway. Then before I know it, I've eaten the rest. This is why I never have pics of kale chips on my blog.

You have no idea how much will power it took to NOT eat these chips before I took pictures, AND to save a (very small) bowl for my mom for when she got home.

Anyways: moral of the story - kale chips are ADDICTIVE. Be careful.

They don't stay around for long. 

If you want a recipe for les chips, just use any sauce recipe I have on the blog, and put it on a bunch of ripped kale pieces. Then dehydrate for a couple hours or until they're crunchy.

If you wanna make your own sauce, I recommend making a blend of tamari, lemon, garlic, miso, nutritional yeast, nut butter, and some spices. It makes a cheesy, salty dressing... mmm =)

Here's some of my recipes for dressings: Spicy Thai Sauce and Creamy Hemp Sauce. And this is my basic recipe:

Kale Chips: serves...?

3/4 cup cashews

1/3 cup nutritional yeast

1/2 T curry powder, or any other spicy powder you adore

1 T miso

Splash of Bragg's Liquid Aminos

Juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon salt and pepper

Clove of garlic, chopped

Water, as needed

2-3 bunches kale

Blend all ingredients - except kale - in blender until creamy and smooth. It should turn into a thick, delicious, saucy thing... unless you or I forgot an ingredient. Add other things to your liking. Set aside.

Wash kale and break into large chip sized pieces (they will shrink a lot). Put in your biggest bowl and throw in the sauce. Mix it in with your hands - this is surprisingly enjoyable - until all the pieces are evenly coated. Try one...

Yep. I know. You're gonna eat 'em all.
 

Now put them on dehydrator trays and dehydrate for a couple hours, or until they're crispy. If you don't have a dehydrator, just use the lowest temperature on your oven.
 

an addiction

OMG. I have a problem.

When you ask someone what their favourite crunchy, salty indulgence is: chances are they're gonna say chips. And why not? They do SEEM satisfying. But are they really? I don't particularly want GMO potatoes deep fried in processed oils covered in chemical salts and fake flavours - no matter how good they may taste.

Having said that - there are really great brands of chips out there. Lots are organic, non-GMO, made in small batches, locally sourced, and only have 3-5 or so whole food ingredients that you can actually read. For example: Hippie Chips, and Food Should Taste Good Chips.Yay for them! But I have something even BETTER! It's dark, leafy, and green. Can ya guess?

Kaaaaale!

Now, kale on it's own isn't crunchy or salty... in fact, for most people, it's a pretty bitter bother (see what I did there?) But there is a way out, my friends! A delicious, so-healthy-it's-silly way out. Kale Chips.

They're cheap, easy, practically calorie-free, and absolutely addicting in the best way possible! Last weekend, I ate three huge heads of kale. Alone. In a day. And I wanted more.
Sadly, most people don't get that many greens in their system in 2 months. But kale chips will change that! Once you try them, you'll understand. There's not much else to say.

Kale Chips: serves... probably just you, even though you won't believe me at the beginning

 3/4 cup sprouted nuts (I like cashews for their creaminess)

1/4-1/2 cup nutritional yeast

1/2 T curry powder, or any other spicy powder you adore - this and the yeast are key

1 T miso

Splash of Bragg's Liquid Aminos

Juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon salt and pepper

Clove of garlic, chopped

2-3 heads/bunches of fave kale

Blend all ingredients except kale in small blender until smooth. It should turn into a thick, delicious, saucy thing... unless you or I forgot an ingredient. Add other things to your liking. Set aside.

Wash kale and break into large chip sized pieces (they will shrink a lot). Put in your biggest bowl and throw in the sauce. Mix it in with your hands - this is surprisingly enjoyable - until all the pieces are evenly coated. Try one...

Yep. I know. You're gonna eat 'em all.

Try not to though! Get them in the dehydrator for around 3-4 hours until they're crispy. I like them when some are really crispy and others still have the warm, nutty goo on them.

MMMMMMM! I think come Saturday, Emily will be purchasing 6 heads of kale from the market. They will be gone by Sunday.
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