Spicy Sausage Salad

• FAST

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons long-grain rice (optional)
2. 1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausages, or Thai sausages
3. 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4. 2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce (nam pla)
5. 1 bird chile, minced
6. Freshly ground pepper
7. 1 large shallot, thinly sliced crosswise and separated into rings
8. 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
9. 1/2 cup coarsely chopped mint

1. Light the grill or preheat the broiler. In a small skillet, toast the rice over moderately high heat, shaking the skillet, until the rice is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer the rice to a plate to cool completely. Grind the rice to a fine powder in a spice mill.
2. Grill or broil the sausages about 5 inches from the heat for about 4 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Let cool, then slice the sausages crosswise 1/3 inch thick.
3. In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, fish sauce and chile. Season the dressing with pepper. In a shallow bowl, toss the sausage slices with the shallot rings, cilantro and mint. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the roasted rice powder.