4 cups water

1 cup French lentils

2 cloves garlic, lightly smashed

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt plus pinch

1 red onion, diced

3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons olive oil

1 large carrot, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Black pepper

4 low-fat chicken sausages

1 bunch watercress, coarse stems removed

1 small Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced thinly

Directions

1. Bring the water to a boil. Add the lentils, garlic and bay leaf to the boiling water and simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the salt, cover and cook until lentils are tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl; discard garlic and bay leaf.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss 2 tablespoons of the diced onion with 2 teaspoons each of the vinegar and oil. Season with a pinch of salt and set aside.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining onion and the carrot and celery to skillet. Saute the vegetables until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add vegetables to lentils; toss with 3 tablespoons vinegar, 2 teaspoons oil and the mustard; season with remaining salt and the black pepper to taste.

4. In skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook, turning, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice on the diagonal.

5. Add the watercress and apple to the dressed red onion; toss well. To serve, make a bed of lentils on each plate. Top with watercress-apple salad and sausage.