| Salads are taking star billing at restaurants | | | | each), sliced 1/2-inch thick |
| and dinner tables across the country. Once | | | | |
| considered only an accompaniment to | | | | 2 red or yellow bell peppers (or 1 of each), |
| sandwiches, soups or entrées, salads have | | | | cut into 1-inch chunks |
| become year-round main dish meals offering | | | | |
| versatility, convenience and great flavor. | | | | 4 large shallots, peeled, quartered |
| | | | lengthwise |
| Americans are seeking meals that are | | | | |
| satisfying, nutritious and simple to prepare. | | | | 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil |
| Main dish salads fit the bill. No longer | | | | |
| restricted to iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and | | | | 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar |
| onion slices, American salad bowls are being | | | | |
| pushed to new limits with innovative | | | | 2 cloves garlic, minced |
| combinations of ingredients. Whether | | | | |
| incorporating fresh produce or day-old | | | | 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed |
| leftovers, an endless number of salad | | | | |
| creations can result. | | | | 1/2 teaspoon salt |
| | | | |
| Salads featuring pasta, rice, potatoes or | | | | 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper |
| vegetables as the base ingredient-instead of | | | | |
| lettuce- are also becoming family favorites. | | | | 1 package (7 oz.) Jones All Natural Golden |
| According to Jones Dairy Farm President | | | | Brown sausage links, cut into 1/2-inch thick |
| Philip Jones, the use of unexpected | | | | slices |
| ingredients, such as breakfast sausage or | | | | |
| Canadian bacon, can provide a new taste | | | | 4 large radicchio leaves or red leaf lettuce |
| sensation when paired with the right | | | | leaves |
| combination of other ingredients. Savory | | | | |
| salads can also be an excellent way to sneak | | | | Optional garnishes: chopped fresh basil and |
| healthful ingredients into the diet-such as | | | | grated Parmesan cheese |
| fiber-rich vegetables and whole grains. | | | | |
| | | | Heat oven to 425°F. Arrange zucchini, |
| "Main dish salads offer a positive meal | | | | peppers and shallots in a single layer on a |
| solution for families leading time-crunched, | | | | 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Combine oil, |
| on-the-go lifestyles," said Jones. "With | | | | vinegar, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. |
| minimal prep time and flexibility of | | | | Drizzle mixture over vegetables; toss well to |
| ingredients, salads are often as much fun to | | | | coat. Bake 10 minutes. |
| make as they are satisfying to eat." | | | | |
| | | | Add sausage to pan; toss with vegetables. |
| Sausage and Roasted | | | | Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables are |
| | | | crisp-tender and sausage is hot. Spoon |
| Vegetable Salad | | | | mixture into radicchio leaves; garnish as |
| | | | desired. Serve warm or at room temperature. |
| Makes 4 servings | | | | |
| | | | Adding precooked breakfast sausage to a salad |
| 2 medium zucchini or yellow squash (or 1 of | | | | is a flavorful way to incorporate protein. |