APPLE SAUSAGE SALAD WITH CINNAMON VINAIGRETTE

Apple Sausage Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette image

Making croutons with cinnamon-raisin bread is sweet genius. Toss together the rest of the salad while they toast. -Kim Van Dunk, Caldwell, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 slices cinnamon-raisin bread
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Dash pepper
1 package (12 ounces) fully cooked apple chicken sausage links, cut diagonally in 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 packages (5 ounces each) spring mix salad greens
2 cups sliced fresh Bartlett pears
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup dried sweet cherries

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. Cut each slice of bread into 12 cubes; scatter over a 15x10-in. pan. Bake until toasted, 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway. Cool 5 minutes., Meanwhile, combine next six ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake until blended. In a large nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and heated through, 2-3 minutes per side., Divide salad greens among six dinner-size plates; add sausage to each plate. Top with pear slices, walnuts, cherries and croutons. Shake dressing again; spoon over salad and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 404 calories, Fat 23g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 40mg cholesterol, Sodium 441mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 14g protein.