Four Cups

Baking kale is an interesting process. First, the leaves become bright green and soften, then they begin to turn crisp. In between, they go through a chewy-crisp stage, which i s also delicious. So the baking time is flexible. Just keep checking the kale until it is done the way you like it.

A little olive oil or oil spray for the baking tray

1 bunch fresh kale,  stem end trimmed and cut into 1-inch sections (about 1 pound)

2 to 3 tablespoons grated parmesan (optional)

1.Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Brush or spray a large baking sheet with olive oil.

2.Spread the kale out in an even layer on the oiled sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice with a wooden spoon.

3.Sprinkle the top with parmesan cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until it’s as crisp as you like it. (The kale will continue to shrink and crisp the longer it bakes. Remove the tray from the oven, and let the kale cool on the tray. Kale Crunch will keep for a week or two in a covered container—no refrigeration necessary.

Adapted from “Mollie Katzen’s Vegetable Heaven.” (Hyperion 2000)

 Nibbles for six

Edamame are a wonderful snack to keep in the refrigerator for nibbling.
I also like to serve them as hors d’oeuvres with drinks and I keep a bag in
my fridge to nibble on in the late afternoon when I get hungry.  They are available frozen in Asian markets and many health food supermarkets. I prefer those still in the pod, but you may also buy the beans without pods.   

1 one-pound bag edamame or soybeans in pods, frozen
2 teaspoons salt (sea salt preferred)

 
1. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Drop the edamame
into the boiling water, stir, and return to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to medium high, cook for 1 ½ minutes, then drain in a large colander. Refresh the beans under cold, running water, tossing by hand so that they cool evenly. Drain thoroughly.
2. Transfer the cool soybeans pods to a large bowl and add the salt. Toss lightly to coat evenly and serve. To eat, simply suck the soybeans out of their pods.