Marinated Summer Veggies + Chicken Sausage

What’s a light, refreshing meal that’s not a salad? No one wants to spend hours in the kitchen over a hot stove, and there are only so many greens you can eat before your taste buds start demanding more action. The answer: marinated veggies with chicken sausage.

In this flavour-rich dish, colourful summer veggies like zucchini, squash, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and green beans soak in a tart marinade; chicken sausage adds a boost of protein.
​

Pro tip: Make sure to use an all-natural chicken sausage to avoid preservatives and keep the sodium low.

Balsamic vinegar, fresh lime juice, and garlic add a refreshing kick and brightness, and a sprinkle of fresh basil creates a “right-from-the-garden” flavour.

Since this recipe only includes some chopping and slicing, you can prep well beforehand or do a big chop-and-slice session to cook up a bigger batch.

​If you manage to have leftovers, pack them up for tomorrow’s lunch. No need to warm it up; it’s just as tasty and refreshing straight out of the fridge.

The best part? No “Top Chef” skills needed here — chop, marinate, and cook. That’s it.

And if you don’t want to broil it (and yourself) in a hot kitchen, you can throw it all on a sheet pan and cook it on the grill — no muss, no fuss.

Prep Time 50 mins
Cook Time 8 mins
Total Time 58 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tsp . olive oil
• 2 Tbsp . balsamic vinegar
• 2 Tbsp . fresh lime juice
• 2 cloves garlic , chopped
• Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
• 1 lb . green beans , ends removed
• 2 medium zucchini , sliced
• 2 medium summer (crookneck) squash, sliced
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium green bell pepper , sliced
• 1 medium red onion , sliced
• 4 cooked chicken sausages , sliced
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

Instructions

1. To make marinade, combine oil, vinegar, lime juice, and garlic in a medium bowl; whisk to blend.
2. Season with salt and pepper, if desired; whisk to blend. Set aside.
3. Place green beans, zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion in a re-sealable plastic bag (or large bowl). Add marinade; shake to blend. Let sit for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat grill or broiler to high.
5. Place veggie mixture on a large sheet pan (or broiler pan). Add sausages; mix well. Spread out evenly.
6. Grill or broil for 4 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
7. Sprinkle with basil before serving.

BY: Beachbody and Lili Ladaga