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