Southwestern Salad with Grilled Sausages

Total time: 20 minutes
     The quinoa, corn, beans and peppers give this salad a 'southwestern' flavor.  The oregano, Greek olives and feta a Mediterranean flavor. An eclectic Salad!  It's equally good with turkey, chicken or sausages!

 Ingredients:

• 8oz (240gr) sausages, any flavor
• 1/3 cup (2.3oz, 65gr) quinoa
• 2/3 cup (5oz, 150ml) chicken stock
• 8oz (240gr) sweet corn
• 8oz (240gr) white beans
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1 avocado
• 4oz (120gr) feta, crumbled
• 1/3 cup dry-cured Greek olives
• 2 tbs fresh oregano, snipped if large leaves
• 1 tbs fresh, snipped chives
• Lettuce - enough for 2 main meal salads
• Honey French Vinaigrette:
• 2 tbs ketchup
• 1 tbs red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon-style mustard
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp honey
• 3 tbs salad olive oil

 Instructions:

• Put the quinoa and chicken stock in a small saucepan.  Cover and simmer until done, about 15 minutes. 
• Honey French Vinaigrette:
• Mix ketchup, vinegar, mustard and honey. 
• Slowly add olive oil, whisking constantly. Set aside.
• Open, drain and rinse the sweet corn and white beans.
• Slice the pepper. 
• Slice the avocado (see techniques). 
• Cut the olives in half. 
• Cube or cut the feta. 
• Tear the lettuce and put into a large salad bowl along with the herbs. 
• Cook the sausages on barbecue grill or sauté in nonstick skillet until done, 8 - 15 minutes, depending on size. 
• Remove and cut into 1 1/2" (4cm) lengths.
• To assemble:
• Add half of the vinaigrette to the lettuce and toss well to coat. 
• Add beans, corn, pepper and the rest of the vinaigrette, toss well. 
• Add sausage, olive and avocado, toss gently. 
• Sprinkle quinoa, feta on top and serve.

Note:  This could also be made with 10oz (300gr) turkey cutlets or chicken breasts.  Marinate for 10 - 15 minutes before cooking on the barbecue grill.  

 Ingredients:

• Marinade for Turkey or Chicken
• 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbs ketchup
• 1 tbs red wine vinegar
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder  

 Instructions:

• Mix all ingredients well and spoon over meat. Let marinate for 10 - 15 minutes.
• Cook on barbecue grill, 2 - 3 minutes per side for turkey cutlets, 7 - 10 minutes per side for chicken.