Spaetzle With Bratwurst Sweet Potatoes And Caramelized Onions Food

SPAETZLE WITH BRATWURST, SWEET POTATOES AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter and then add sliced onions and pinch of sugar. Stir to coat. Continue to let the onions cook until caramelized. Don't mess with the onions too often but give them a stir about every five to eight minutes. This process takes some time, so it's best to start on the onions while prepping the other ingredients.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast until soft, about 20 minutes.
• Cut the bratwurst lengthwise and remove the ground bratwurst from the casing. Over medium heat, cook the bratwurst until no longer pink, about 10-15 minutes. As the brat cooks, break up with a spoon to crumble. Once cooked, move bratwurst to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish or 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Layer half of the cooked spaetzle and top with half of the havarti and Gruyere. Spread half of the bratwurst crumbles, roasted sweet potato cubes and caramelized onions on top. Repeat for the last remaining layer.
• Bake until the cheese melts, about 15-20 minutes. Top with plenty of fresh chopped sage for added fall flavor. Enjoy!

SPAETZLE WITH KIELBASA AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, lightly brown the kielbasa until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Melt the butter in the skillet. Stir in the onion and thyme, and stir briefly to coat the onion with butter. Cook onion, without stirring, until dark brown, about 5 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and cook on low heat until very soft and caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons water and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Transfer onion to a bowl.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and the nutmeg. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir well. The batter should be fairly wet, with a consistency slightly thicker than pancake batter.
• Spread a clean dish towel flat on a work surface adjacent to the stove. Working over the pot of boiling water, press dough through a spaetzle maker or use a rubber spatula to push it through a colander with holes at least 1/4-inch wide. Drop dough into the water. When dumplings rise to the surface, use a slotted spoon to transfer to the towel.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Toss the spaetzle and kielbasa in the bowl with the onions, and add 1 1/2 cups cheese and the pepper. Spread into a 2-quart gratin dish. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake until golden and bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes.

GRILLED BRATWURST WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Combine the hard cider, 1 cup of the broth and the bratwurst in a large saucepan, bring to a simmer and gently simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 cup broth and simmer until the onions are browned and completely soft, about 5 minutes more. Keep the onion mixture warm while you cook the bratwurst.
• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Transfer the bratwurst to the grill or grill pan and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 10 minutes. Lightly grill the pretzel rolls, cut-side down. Serve the bratwurst topped with the onions and with the pretzel rolls and mustard on the side.