Chard Chips

This is a rift on the previous post about Collard Green Chips, but because Chard requires a different oven temperature and cooking time, I decided to make it a separate post. Most of those who know me know that I crave salty and crispy snacks. I also love green vegetables of all kinds, so making Chard into Chips is an obvious choice and it makes really good snack for me. Chard is a more delicate green than both Kale and Collard Greens and contains more moisture. so they take longer to cook. Interestingly, they need to cook at a higher temperature and for longer even though they are more delicate! Chard Chips are still made the same way; pulling the leaves off the stem, keeping them in big pieces. You can pickle the stems if you like, but I tend to chop them up and use them in stir-fries. You can use any number of seasonings, but I still tend to go for either just plain Salt or Salt with Garlic Powder along with the required Olive Oil. Chard Chips are crisp and delicate and light. It's easy to eat a whole bunch of Chard in one sitting all by yourself  The good news is that you know that your delicious snack is also very good for you!

Chard Chips

1 bunch of Chard, rinsed throughly and lightly shaken dry

1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

1/8 teaspoon Salt

Optional:  1/8 teaspoon of Garlic Powder

Heat oven to 275 degrees. 

Pull the leafy part of the Chard off of the stem and tear into large pieces.  Place a piece of Parchment Paper on a baking sheet. Put the Chard Leaves on the Parchment and sprinkle with the Olive Oil, Salt and Garlic Powder, if using. Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully turn over the Chard Leaves using tongs. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Let cool and remove carefully to a bowl.

Five Element Analysis

Chard, like all Leafy Greens belongs to the Wood Element, but if you use Rainbow Chard, you gain a little Fire and Earth too. The Olive Oil contributes more of the Wood Element and the Garlic Powder contributes just a bit of Metal.  This is a good snack when you need more of the Wood Element in your diet.