One-dish Kielbasa Dinner

Some things go hand-in-hand, like peanut butter and chocolate or kids and dirt. Magic happens when you mix potatoes, onions and peppers with smoky, grilled turkey kielbasa. The real magic though is when your family eats it. All. Gone. If you don't have or like kielbasa, use Italian or other link or even crumbled sausage (of course frying up crumbled sausage would make this a two-dish dinner, but it is yummy), or even good quality hotdogs if you're really desperate to get your kids to eat a protein. I never know what's going to get my pickiest eater to try something. Comparing the kielbasa to a hotdog was enough to get him to clean his plate. Then he smiled and said, "This tastes just like sausage. I love sausage." Just smile and nod, Mom.

One-dish Kielbasa Dinner

1 package (two links) smoked, turkey kielbasa
2 yukon gold potatoes
1/2 large red bell pepper
1/2 large green bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced yellow onion
1 Tb olive oil
2 Tb balsamic vinegar
salt, pepper
herbs to taste

1.) Grill the kielbasa (or pan fry it if you want) until heated through. Half the kielbasa links and then slice each half in 2-inch long pieces. Set aside.
2.) Wash your veggies and slice them--the peppers and onions in long strips and the potato in thin, 1-inch pieces, skin on. You can play with the veggies here. Try squash, zucchini or sweet potatoes.
3.) Heat the olive oil in a pan on medium-high heat. If you've pan-fried your kielbasa, just use the same pan.
4.) Saute your veggies until tender. I add a splash of water to the pan and put the lid on to steam them and help the potatoes soften up faster. Just a couple of Tbs of water will do the trick.
5.) When the veggies are tender, slide the kielbasa into the pan. Add your balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and herbs. I used one spear each of fresh lavender and rosemary, chopped. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand then 1 Tb dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, rosemary mix) will do the trick. Serve with warm, buttered rolls for a satisfying, homey meal.