Holiday Entertaining with Willow Tree

I think we’ve established this once or twice, but I could happily live off appetizers. Some form of rosemary bread and party dips, if you need specifics. So when Willow Tree reached out with samples of their chicken dips and salads, I was allllllll ears.

My soft spot for local businesses surfaces more than ever this time of year. Located just south in Attleboro, Willow Tree, a family-owned and operated business for the past 60+ years, has become the premier provider of fresh, hand-crafted poultry pies and salads, so what better brand to hook up with for the holiday entertaining season? Hosting is enough of an escapade on its own {HA learned that this year}, so I can use all the help I can get when it comes to food. I don’t like Buffalo Chicken Dip, said no one ever, so there’s impressive addition #1, and their unique Chicken Caesar Dip is a crazy yummy and unique flavor perfect for veggie-dipping, should you healthy people insist on incorporating some of those.

But because the #gramfactor is clearly a priority in all events hosted at Chez Fanning, I decided to use Willow Tree Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad and take it a step further with this festive Christmas tree sandwich freaking masterpiece display.

Even for my limited skill level, these bite-size Willow Tree Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Rosemary Sandwich Rolls were super easy to put together I only called my mom 3 times, and I had total peace of mind knowing Willow Tree’s got me covered with their Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad filling being already prepared.

Willow Tree Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Rosemary Sandwich Rolls
Makes 20

{ingredients}

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp + 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary (divided)
• 1 tbsp salt
• 4 cups bread flour
• 1 egg mixed, beaten with a splash of milk
• 2 containers Willow Tree Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

{instructions}

1. In a bowl, mix together warm water, yeast, and sugar and let stand for 10 minutes.
2. In large bowl, combine yeast mixture, oil, salt, 1 tablespoon of the chopped rosemary, and 2 cups of flour.
3. Stir in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (you can finish adding flour on a floured surface when dough becomes too difficult to stir!).
4. Knead dough on floured surface until smooth and elastic
5. Lightly oil a large bowl; place the dough in bowl and turn a few times to coat with oil.
6. Cover with cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
7. Deflate the dough and turn out on floured surface.
8. Divide dough into 20 equal pieces and form into rounds.
9. Place rolls at least 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheet.
10. Cover rolls with a cloth and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 40 minutes.
11. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
12. Brush each risen roll with egg & milk mixture. Sprinkle with remaining chopped rosemary
13. Bake rolls approximately 14 minutes until golden brown.
14. Remove from baking pan and cool on a rack.

Once cooled, slice and fill with Willow Tree Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad. Arrange in tree shape and garnish with extra rosemary sprigs as fit.

Holiday cheer managed.

To help make your holiday entertaining a little easier, I’ll be giving away a Willow Tree holiday gift basket including four Willow Tree dips or salads (mix & match as you like) plus other New England-based items. Just head over to my Instagram to enter. But skidaddle! Giveaway ends 12/19.

Willow Tree products are sold at major East Coast grocery stores, hundreds of independent retailers, and the original poultry farm’s own retail location in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Click here to find a retailer near you!

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Full disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Willow Tree Farm. Thank you for supporting the brands that support shell chic’d!