Crispy Potato Chips with Onion Kale Dip

Homemade potato chips take no time at all, and offer a deep potato flavor you just can’t get from a bag. Served alongside an addictive dip, this classic duo is a sure winner for everyone.

chips and kale onion dip

Crispy Potato Chips with Onion-Kale Dip

Onion Kale Dip
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 cups chopped kale leaves, packed
1 package (454g) medium-firm tofu, drained
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2 teaspoons  apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Sea salt to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste

Potato Chips
2 russet potatoes, washed and sliced into paper-thin slices
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt

To make the dip, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the onion. Cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and kale. Cook until the kale leaves are soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Put the tofu, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, cider vinegar, onion powder, a sprinkle of salt, and a few dashes of cayenne pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the onion mixture. Process again until smooth. Taste for seasonings, adding additional salt and cayenne as needed (lots of cayenne is delicious here!). Refrigerate at least 3 hours, though the flavors will come together even more overnight.

To make the potatoes, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or a Silpat. Put the sliced potatoes in a bowl filled with water. Let soak 5 minutes. Rinse well, until the water runs clear. Dry thoroughly.

Toss the potato slices with the oil, salt, and pepper, mixing well. Spread the potatoes onto the prepared pan in a single layer. Bake for about 12 to 20 minutes until browned, depending on thickness (if you weren’t consistent in your slices, you might have to check, remove some from the pan, and bake others longer). Once they are all baked, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.

Fresh Cranberry Almond Truffle Squares

Using fresh cranberries in this incredibly easy vegan treat offers a tart twist to the sweetness of chocolate and the nuttiness of the almonds.

cranberry truffle squares

Fresh Cranberry Almond Truffle Squares

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 cups nondairy semi-sweet chocolate chips, such as Enjoy Life
1/2 cup icing sugar, sifted
1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup almonds, toasted

Line an 8-inch square metal pan with plastic wrap.

Put the cranberries and maple syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then boil on high for 5 minutes, until the liquid is reduced and the consistency is similar to jam. Remove from heat. Stir in the chocolate chips and mix until they are completely melted. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Stir in the almonds. Pour into the pan, spreading evenly. Cover and chill overnight. Store in the fridge until serving.

Pecan Shortbread Jam Tarts

Two-bite tarts with a “buttery” pecan shortbread crust and a dollop of sweet jam. I recommend using homemade jam or an all-natural variety. If you’re from the Niagara area, I love Greaves Jam (from Niagara-on-the-Lake) with only two simple ingredients and full, sweet flavor.

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Pecan Shortbread Jam Tarts

3/4 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/4 cup quinoa flour
3/4 cup  pecans, toasted and cooled
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup nondairy margarine
About 1/2 cup red jam, such as strawberry, cherry or raspberry
Icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Put the sorghum flour, tapioca flour, quinoa flour, pecans, icing sugar, xanthan gum, and salt in a food processor fitted with the S blade. Process until pecans are finely ground and all ingredients are mixed. Add the nondairy margarine and process just until the mixture sticks together.

Divide the dough into 24 pieces. Press each one into a space of a 24-cup mini muffin pan. Use your thumb to indent the top of each one, about halfway down (I actually use the handle on a thick wooden spoon). Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

While it is in the refrigerator, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

After the 15 minutes, remove the pan from the refrigerator and put a small dollop of jam in the indent of each tart. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until tarts lightly browned on the edges (I overbaked these ones just a bit; they are a little browner than they should be). Cool about 30 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with icing sugar once cooled.