Recipe: Warm Spinach and Sausage Salad

Warm Spinach and Sausage Salad

3/4 pound spinach, rinsed well, stemmed and crisped
1 large yellow or red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into thin strips
3 green onions (ends trimmed), cut into 3-inch lengths and slivered
1/2 pound mild or hot Italian sausage, casing removed
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper

Place spinach, bell pepper and onions in a large salad bowl.

In a 10- to 12-inch frying pan cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until brown, about 10 minutes.

Add fennel seed and vinegar to pan. Stir until browned bits are loosened, then pour dressing and sausage over salad and mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Makes 6 servings.