Luscious Chicken Links

Chicken sausages are the latest trend for using this versatile fowl. They are extremely low in fat and calories if made with breast meat, and their taste is neutral, although many are flavored with hot spices, tropical fruits, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.

If serving a sausage for dinner seems insubstantial, relax. Chicken sausages can be paired with all sorts of accompaniments to fill up a plate. You can go Mediterranean, Asian or even Midwest American in your choice of seasonings or sauces. Add a grain side dish such as barley or bulgur and you’ve got a hearty meal.

Plain or fruit-flavored chicken sausages will work well in the following recipe. To streamline preparation, start the Bulgur Pilaf first and let it simmer while you prepare the cranberry sauce and the sausages.

SAUSAGES WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE

1 cup cranberries

3 tablespoons cranberry juice concentrate or cranapple juice concentrate

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Dash salt

2 chicken sausages

1 cup cranberry juice

Bring cranberries, cranberry juice concentrate, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt to boil in small saucepan. Reduce heat to low and simmer until cranberries pop and mixture is thick, about 10 minutes.

Combine sausages and cranberry juice in skillet just large enough to hold them. Simmer over low to medium heat, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Drain.

To serve, place 1 sausage on each plate and serve cranberry sauce on side.

2 servings. Each serving without almonds:

239 calories; 372 mg sodium; 20 mg cholesterol; 8 grams fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams protein; 0.57 gram fiber.

BULGUR PILAF

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps

1 small onion, chopped

3/4 cup bulgur

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

Salt

Freshly ground white pepper

1/4 cup slivered almonds, optional

Melt butter in medium saucepan. Stir in mushrooms and onion and saute until onion is tender, 5 minutes. Stir in bulgur and cook 1 minute. Stir in broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Fluff with fork and transfer to serving bowl. Sprinkle with nuts.

2 servings. Each serving without almonds:

284 calories; 799 mg sodium; 16 mg cholesterol; 8 grams fat; 46 grams carbohydrates; 11 grams protein; 1.44 grams fiber.