Requested recipes from the party

At the request of a few people at the cookout last weekend, I am providing two recipes: kale salad and the chocolate chip cheesecake spread.

First, the kale salad. I'm not going to pretend I came up with this. I didn't. I just switched out the peanuts and used almonds instead this time. Here it is (http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/salad/autumn-salad-recipe-kale-slaw-with-peanut-dressing-099767):

Kale Slaw with Peanut Dressing
(serves 6 to 8)

2 large bunches curly or lacinato kale, about 2 pounds
2 red bell peppers, cleaned and cut into fine strips
1 large carrot, peeled
3/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts, divided
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Fold each leaf of kale in half lengthwise and slice out the center rib. Discard ribs. Roll a stack of the leaves up and slice in half lengthwise, then crosswise into very fine ribbons. You will have 10 to 12 cups of finely chopped kale in the end. Wash and rinse thoroughly in a salad spinner.

Toss the kale with the sliced bell peppers. Slice the carrot very thin, either by creating curls with a peeler, or by running the halved carrot lengthwise down a mandoline. Toss with the kale, red pepper, and 1/2 cup of the peanuts.

In a chopper or small food processor, briefly puree the remaining 1/4 cup peanuts, oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper flakes. Pulse it just a few times; the peanuts should be partially pureed, but with some nibs and nubs still left in the dressing. (The texture difference between the whole peanuts, ground peanuts, and pureed peanuts in the sauce is one of the things that makes this slaw so wonderful.)

Toss the dressing with the slaw and let it sit for at least a few minutes before serving.

Now for dessert, which comes from our friend Sarah Oakes.

Chocolate chip cheesecake spread


8 oz package cream cheese
3/4 c confectioners sugar
1/2 c butter
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
3/4 c mini chocolate chips
Cream butter & cream cheese. Mix in sugar and vanilla. Stir in chips.  Chill for a couple hours before rolling it into a ball.

ENJOY!