Warm Sausage and Lentil Salad

Last week I bookmarked this article on Serious Eats (another go-to site for inspiration). I liked how the combination of flavors sounded. I had some leftover grilled sausage from the weekend so I decided to use it instead of cooking the sausage with the lentils. I picked up some fresh lentils at the farmer's market so of course that greatly reduced the cooking time.

Warm Sausage and Lentil Salad
(Adapted from Serious Eats and Pork and Sons)

Makes 2 servings

1/4 lb fresh green lentils
1 link hot Italian chicken sausage, grilled and sliced
4 slices center cut bacon, sliced
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
1/4 c olive oil
1 shallot, chopped
1 scallion, chopped
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
parsley, roughly chopped for garnish (optional)

In a medium saucepan bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add lentils and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the lentils are cooked through.

Meanwhile, saute the bacon over medium heat until browned, but not crisp.

In a small bowl, combine the Dijon, olive oil, shallot, scallion, and bacon with a little of it's fat. Whisk and then add the balsamic slowly to form a vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper.

Toss the lentils with the vinaigrette and topped with sliced sausage. Garnish with parsley if desired.