Kale Problem? Kale Solution!

Kale. (Photo courtesy of PioneerValleyGirl)

This summer, Flourboy and I have been participating in a CSA.  Enjoying the farm-fresh bounty of summer (without having to personally farm anything) has been a real treat!  But, it has also resulted in multiple batches of kale, collard greens, and swiss chard cluttering up the lower half of our fridge.  Don't get me wrong: I like a good batch of steamed greens.  It's just that that only gets you so far when you're getting this stuff week after week after week.  We tried kale chips.  We were not impressed.  (purported to be like potato chips... really??? Those are NOT like any brand of potato chips that I'm familiar with.)

So, I came up with a better use for all those greens:

 

My Mom used to make spinach dip and serve it in a bread bowl.  Kale is similar to spinach, and it turns out that it works great in this dip!

Kale Dip:

1. Coarsely chop and cook a large batch of kale.  

2. Chop it finely using a food processor.

3. Follow the Mrs. Grass Spinach Dip recipe, substituting the chopped kale for the frozen spinach.

Wheat Sourdough Bread Bowl:

1. Make the Firm.  Mix 2 c. Sourdough Starter with 2 c. white bread flour.  Knead until smooth.  Let rise at room temperature for 8 hours.  Then punch down, knead, and refrigerate until you are ready to make the dough (within 12-24 hours).

2. Make the Dough.  Mix the Firm (chopped into several pieces), 4 c. white bread flour, 2 c. whole wheat flour, 1 Tbsp. salt, 1 tsp. sugar, and 2 c. cool water.  Knead until smooth and elastic.  Let rise in the fridge 8 hours (or overnight; until about doubled in bulk.)

3. Divide the dough into 3 pieces.  Shape into round loaves.  Let rise in the fridge for 8 hours (or until almost doubled).

4. Let the dough come to room temperature (about 1 hour) before baking. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes, then 375 for 25 minutes more.  Turn off the oven and let the loaves sit inside for 10 minutes more.

5. Cool completely before cutting a square out of the top and tearing out the inside of the loaf.

The last part is obvious...  put the dip inside the bread bowl and serve it up!  This snack definitely got great reviews in the lab!  Need to make an appetizer for your next football party?  Try it out!