Tuscan Bean & Kale Salad

This quick and easy recipe for kale salad with marinated artichokes, cannellini beans and roasted peppers is sure to be come your favorite way to enjoy raw kale.  You can vary the ingredients according to your taste.
Massaging your kale makes it tender and sweet!  Who knew we have to massage our food now!

For the vinaigrette:
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar or lemon juice 1 medium clove garlic, minced 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
For the salad:
2 cups curly green kale, removed from stem, washed and chopped into 1" pieces 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 jar marinated quartered artichokes (if you like the marinade you can add some to the salad) 1 jar roasted red peppers, cut into strips 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin Parmesan shavings for garnish
In a large bowl add kale, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 Tbsp. each of vinegar and oil.  Massage until kale no longer sounds crunchy (6 or 7 massages will do the trick).  Let sit for 10 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients and mix to combine.  Season with additional oil and vinegar to your taste.  Refrigerate as least one hour to blend flavors.

Enjoy!

Holiday Challah Rolls

Who has never heard of Challah?  It is a small part of long Jewish tradition.  Rich with eggs and butter (or oil) it is usually shaped into braids and coils.  Similar to French brioche and Polish Babka, it makes wonderful toast and this is the only bread I use for my Thanksgiving Caramelized Onion Challah Stuffing.  
These little beauties would great for Holiday bread, sliders, burgers and sandwiches.  With the help of a stand mixer, these rolls are a cinch to make.

Ingredients:
2 packages (4-1/2 tsps.) active dry yeast 1 cup warm water 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 4 egg yolks 3-1/4 cup bread flour 1-1/4 tsp. salt 1 egg, lightly beaten, for egg wash Sesame seeds, Poppy seeds or Sea Salt (optional)
Instructions:
In your Stand Mixer bowl, combine the warm water and yeast.  Stir and allow to rest in a warm spot for about 10 minutes, or until foamy and frothy.  Add flour, salt, sugar, butter and egg yolks and combine on low until dough comes together.  Increase speed to medium and knead the dough, with the dough hook, until it forms into a soft and smooth dough, about 5-7 minutes.  Add additional flour if needed, in small amounts, until dough is no longer sticky.
Form the dough into a ball and place it into a large bowl that has been oiled.  Turn to coat both sides.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.  Punch the dough down and allow to rest for another 45 minutes.

Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface.  Knead a few times.  Cut into 15 even pieces.  Roll each piece into a rope about 7 inches long.  Tie into a knot and tuck the ends underneath.

Place the knotted rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Cover with a clean towel and allow to rest while you heat up your oven.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Brush the rolls with egg wash and sprinkle with toppings of your choice or no toppings at all!  Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for about 30 minutes.   Store in sealed plastic bag as you would bread.  Can be frozen after baked!

Enjoy! Happy Easter!

 Visit www.CountryCrock.com/recipes for recipes and meal inspiration.

Makes 15 Rolls