Chicken Sausage Provençal Salad

Makes 4 to 6 servings


Active time: 25 minutes


Start to finish: 55 minutes

VARIATIONS

Substitute Sweet Italian Sausage links for Provençal Chicken Sausage and substitute Italian seasoning for herbes de Provence.

Both the sausages and the vegetables are grilled and then arranged on a bed of frisée, onions, and tomatoes.

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 shallots, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons herbes de Provence

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 cup olive oil

1 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise

2 Japanese eggplant, quartered lengthwise

1 small yellow squash, quartered lengthwise

1 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, and cut into 1-inch strips

11/4 pounds Provençal Chicken Sausage links, Italian Chicken and Olive Sausage links, or purchased raw chicken or pork sausage links

1 large bunch frisée, broken into bite-sized pieces, rinsed and dried

1 small red onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, rinsed and halved

1. Prepare a medium-hot charcoal or gas grill.

2. To prepare dressing, combine vinegar, shallots, garlic, mustard, sugar, herbes de Provence, salt, and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and shake well. Add olive oil, and shake well again. Set aside.

3. Brush dressing on zucchini, eggplant, yellow squash, and bell pepper.

4. Prick sausages with a fork, and grill, turning them gently with tongs, for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on diameter, or until cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow sausages to rest for 5 minutes, and then cut into 1/2-inch thick slices. Grill vegetables for 2 to 3 minutes per side, uncovered, or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from the grill, and cut into bite-sized pieces.

6. To serve, combine frisée, onion, and cherry tomatoes in a mixing bowl, and toss with enough dressing to coat lightly. Mound mixture onto a serving platter or individual plates, and top with sausage and vegetable slices. Serve immediately, passing extra dressing separately.

Note: The dressing can be made up to a day in advance and refrigerated, tightly covered. Bring to room temperature before using.