Crispy Kale

Alessandra brought this recipe home from college. It was an instant success— everyone’s favorite new way to eat kale!

I love this preparation because it is absolutely delicious, different and healthy. It’s also unbelievable how good it tastes considering how easy it is to make.

Ingredients:
1 or 2 bunches of Purple or Curly-Leafed Kale (this is the ruffly kind, but any type will work)
olive oil
sea salt
spices of your choice

1. Wash kale and strip the leaves away from the tough ribs. You can either tear them off with your hands or use a sharp knife.
2. Loosely shred or chop the kale leaves into bit size chunks
3. Arrange in a baking dish. A cookie sheet will also work.
4. Drizzle kale with olive oil (you don’t need much) and sprinkle with sea salt. (Add your other favorite spices if you want a specific flavor. My family likes spicy Italian pepperoncino flakes. Curry, cumin, or miso paste are other options.)
5. Leave kale in the oven until crispy. About 15-20 minutes depending on the amount. Check on the kale once or twice, turning over with a spatula.

Crispy kale makes a great side dish for dinner, but also works as an appetizer. It’s easiest to eat the chip-like kale flakes with your hands. Alessandra tells me she’s made this dish on numerous occasions and won over even avowed kale skeptics.

Bon Appetito!




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*photo courtesy of Daily Fill blog

Rosanna's Spring Giveaway

One of my fondest childhood memories is of May Day. Every year on the First of May, my mother would take us into the garden were we would gather spring blooms in an old wicker basket. Once we had filled the basket, we’d go inside to make paper cones and arrange our May Day flowers inside. Then came the fun part. With our May Day baskets in hand, my sisters and I would sneak up to our neighbors’ houses, place a bouquets on the stoop, ring the doorbell and run. From behind the cover of a bush, we would watch as our neighbors opened their doors to find a spring surprise. I made sure to teach my children about May Day like my mother did for us. I also taught this tradition to the little girl who lived next door. A few years later, the family moved away. But to this day every year on the First of May, Caskey still leaves May Day flowers on my doorstep. This tradition of leaving May Day bouquets has nearly faded out entirely. Nevertheless, it is still one of my favorite seasonal traditions. I look forward to it every year.

In honor of my new book Coming Home, we are having a giveaway that focuses on the theme of tradition. All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite tradition. Tradition is about creating moments with those you love most, again and again. It can be a tradition you share with your friends and it doesn’t have to be seasonal. The contestant with winning submission will receive an autographed copy of Coming Home and a set of my Gelato cups. The deadline to enter is Sunday, February 28th. The winner will be announced by Friday, March 5th.

I am so excited to read about your traditions. My hope is that with these stories we will inspire each other to share new experiences with our loved ones.

May Day photo courtesy of skiptomylou.




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