Sesame Peanut Kale Chips: The Winning Super Bowl Snack

January 30, 2015

With Super Bowl just round the corner, you’re likely to put your diet plan on the back burner and indulge in unhealthy chips, appetizers, and pizza. But you can, in fact, enjoy the game while munching on healthier snacks.

If you wander the aisles of any health food store, you’re likely to spot kale chips. Why are they such a popular food item? Well, because they are full of nutrients that make the body feel good. We show you how to make your own chips (with a nutty twist). But before that, check out the health benefits of kale:

1. Loaded With Vitamins & Minerals
The bulk of this healthy green is vitamin K, which plays a significant role in anti-inflammation, bone density and growth, blood clot formation, and brain and nervous system function. Kale is also loaded with vitamin A, and helps to prevent cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye diseases. It also protects the reproductive system and prevents drying of the skin. It also contaians vitamin C, which helps fights the common cold, lowers blood pressure, and boosts the immune system.

2. Full Of Antioxidants
Kale has an abundance of antioxidants, which help keep the body’s oxygen metabolism moving. When the body is compromised of antioxidants, it can lead to a problem called oxidative stress, causing nervous system damage, and leading to serious illnesses including heart disease, psychiatric disorders, and fatigue. Kale also has anti-inflammatory properties, preventing long-term inflammation. Studies have shown that increasing your intake of kale can help reduce the risk of colon cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer.

3. Good For Your Heart
Not only does kale keep cholesterol at bay, it can reduce chances of developing heart ailments. It is full of manganese, a powerful mineral that can reduce the chances of elevated blood pressure and heart disease.

4. Aids In Digestion
Kale helps boost the digestive system because it is high in fiber content. Moreover, it protects the lining of the stomach, which can get damaged by overly acidic foods.

5. Detoxes The Body
Detox is a word often thrown around, but this green vegetable truly does the trick. Kale regulates the cells that break down toxins in the body, reducing the effects of the harmful food consumed.

Instead of running to the local food store for a bag of kale chips, you can make your own fresh batch for Super Bowl. Here’s how:

Sesame Peanut Kale Chips

Ingredients:

16 ounces of fresh kale, washed, stem removed, and chopped into large pieces. Make pieces the size of your palm. (They will shrink quite a bit after baking in the oven.)
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup of rice vinegar
1 tablespoon of natural honey
1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon of light sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons of roasted white sesame seeds

Directions:

In a small bowl, add the olive oil, vinegar, honey, peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger, and pepper; whisk vigorously.
Take the freshly washed, chopped kale and place in a large freezer bag.
Pour the peanut marinade over the kale, and give it a shake, coating all the pieces.
Line a baking sheet with tin foil, and space the kale evenly.
Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.
Bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 3 hours.