Thursday, January 16, 2014

Thursday Miscallany

I admit that I'm sometimes a sucker for new products that promise the world, Sometimes, that is, unless the cost is too dear.

When I saw these house slippers that clean the floors while you walk, I had to indulge. For only $6.00 they seemed worth a try.

I have already test driven them and they do indeed perform as advertised -- picking up dust and hair -- hair being a constant challenge when you own Golden Retrievers.

They also are comfortable and warm. They are machine washable and to be air dried. The user is cautioned not to use if one's balance is not stable, not to slide or run in them and they are not to be used for washing floors, only dusting them.

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I mentioned in a post a few days ago that I wanted to start knitting again. I did, but instead of finishing a project I decided to start a new one.




Using various and sundry yarns accumulated over a period of time, I decided to make a coverlet. Quite unconventional, it will contain many types and colors of yarn. I'm knitting on U.S. #15 size circular needles. Circulars are the only way to go with this many stitches (175); conventional needles wouldn't hold that many stitches and the weight of the project would be tiring to the hands and arms. With circulars, the weight of the knitting rests in your lap.

I have many stitches and many colors to go, but I'll picture it here when completed.

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And finally, kale. Known as one of the most healthy foods in the universe, it is said to reduce the risk of cancer, lower cholesterol, and to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification benefits. Kale also is quite tasty. I've enjoyed it in stir-fry and soup, but recently found a recipe for kale chips -- a substitute for potato chips.

This is too much kale on the pan. I rearranged this amount onto three baking sheets.
It couldn't be simpler to make. A bundle of kale, 1 tablespoon olive oil and  1 teaspoon salt.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  1. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
  2. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.
A couple of cook notes from me if you decide to try this super-healthy recipe.
  • Don't over-crowd the pan; use two or three baking sheets if needed. If the pieces overlap they won't get crisp.

  • I find that a teaspoon of salt is too much for my taste; I reduce salt to 1/2 teaspoon.

  • Watch the oven carefully; there's a fine line between crisp and brown around the edges and overcooked.

  • The dryer the kale is when it goes into the oven, the better the results.

After the oven time was complete, I rearranged the pieces and placed them in the oven with the heat turned off so any remaining moisture was removed.

Do they taste like potato chips? Well, no they don't. But they are a tasty alternative we can feel good about eating.

16 comments:

  1. I've read that some Chinese restaurants use crispy kale instead of seaweed. No idea if that is true but we love our kale here. It grows very easily and would grow year round in our garden if we got our act together a bit more. We have more carpets that bare floors, so I don't see me getting those house slippers, but I'm keen to see your finished knitting project - I have a crazy amount of yarn in bits too small to make anything large. I've been knitting sweaters for babies in Africa, but have also decided I could use a couple of lap rugs for winter.

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    1. Still working on that knitting project. It's large so it's going to take a while to finish it. I need to remember to plant some in the fall so I can have it all winter as well.

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  2. Remember when Kale was thought to be fit only for cattle! Now it has become a superfood it is appearing everywhere on menus,we call it curly kale.I often pop pieces in soups,also kale omelettes are yum + healthy.

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    1. We never used to eat kale. Seems it has become one of those trendy "in foods. I'll have to remember to use it in an omelette; use spinach sometimes.

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  3. The fresh kale looks more delicious than the chips, but as the recipe is so simple, maybe even I could try making them ; ).
    Curious to see what you are knitting on..
    Oh yes, dog hair over here too, and you have it x2 + cat hair, which is more difficult to remove.
    I just wear wool socks and wash them more often than needed. I also try to avoid looking at the floors, lol.

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    1. The picture of the cooked kale didn't turn out so good! Most of the time I avoid looking at the floors, too, when it has so much dog hair on it. My kitties don't seem to shed much.

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  4. Those slippers look like fun but stability is an issue for me and our floors are hardwood so I need something with grip. What pretty colors you have so far in your new knitting adventure. As for kale, well DH does grow it year round (as Shelly mentioned) and we use every bit of it. Serve it as a side dish, put it in soups and so forth. Good tasting and good for you.

    Darla

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    1. I have so many colors of yarn so the project will be colorful. It is looking a bit weird, but at least it will be original. I planted kale last year in the spring and found it was quite easy to grow.

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  5. I too am frequently tempted by products. The slippers look funny but I don't think I will use them, I hate dust attaching to me : )

    I love Kale chips and have to motivate myself to do this..why am I so lazy?

    Happy Friday tomorrow dear Sanda...

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    1. The inspiration to do these things in the kitchen is always there, but my follow-through is sometimes hit and miss. I had fresh kale in the fridge and needed to use it before it went bad.

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  6. We have only tried kale once, about 2 years ago, and I found it bitter. Perhaps it was a poor sample and I should try again, as we eat a lot of vegetables. The chips look like a good healthy snack. A friend of mine had some of those slippers but I have never seen them for sale. They would be quite handy for my wood floors. Now I know they are still around, I'll keep a lookout. Happy knitting!

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    1. Kale is definitely one of those bitter greens, but I like it! I got my slippers, where else but Walmart. Do you have the stores there? I'm liking these slippers.

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  7. I've heard a f kale chips before but I've never tried it because it's difficult to find kale in our stores.

    Your slippers sound quirky! But as long as they work, they are miracle workers. I can relate to your plight of constant hair and dust particles :-(

    Enjoy the knitting season and let us see the finished product.

    xoxo Ana

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    1. They are somewhat quirky! Where does all the dust come from??? I'll definitely show the project once it's completed.

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  8. Sanda,

    Your knitting project looks very interesting! What a great way to pass the long winter and to use up your stash of yarn.

    Although the kale chips sound healthy I am not a fan of bitter greens. But I hope that you enjoy them.

    Thank you for visiting.

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    1. I do love bitter greens; endive is my favorite. Love it in salads. Thanks for your comment, fellow Downton Abby fan!

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