Unique Pairing: Roasted Sausages with Grapes!

• Cooking Goddess, Ina Garten, made this Tuscan recipe on her show a few weeks ago.  I thought to myself, "Odd pairing, but sounds so good."  And I was right!  I lightened up this recipe in true cooking girl fashion, by using chicken sausage.  You can truly use whatever kind of sausage you like, but make sure to get fresh sausage, none of this pre-packaged sausage for this recipe. The sweetness of the grapes, coupled with the savory flavor of the sausages was surprising and wonderful.  If this sounds interesting to you, try it.  You won't be disappointed.
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• Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 pounds Italian hot sausage (for a lighter fare, use chicken sausage, but use fresh sausage, it makes a real difference)
• 1 1/2 pounds Italian sweet sausage
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 to 6 cups (2 pounds) red or green seedless grapes, stems removed
• 2 to 4 tablespoons dry red wine
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Fresh Foccaccia or Ciabatta bread, to serve

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

Parboil the sausages in water to cover for 8 minutes to rid them of excess fat.

Melt the butter in a large heatproof roasting pan, dutch oven, or large pan, add the grapes, and toss to coat. Over moderately high heat add the wine. Stir with a wooden spoon for a few minutes until the wine has reduced by half.

Using tongs, transfer the parboiled sausages to the roasting pan and push them down in the grapes so the sausages will not brown too quickly. Roast in the oven, turning the sausages once, until the grapes are soft and the sausages have browned, 20 to 25 minutes.

Place the roasting pan on top of the stove over a medium-high heat and add the balsamic vinegar. Scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the roasting pan, and allow the vinegar and juices to reduce until they are thick and syrupy. But be careful not to completely "smush" the grapes.  With a slotted spoon, transfer the sausages and grapes to a serving platter.

Pour the sauce over the sausages and grapes and serve immediately, accompanied with fresh bread.