Town Talk Diner Brat Burger Food

BRAT BURGERS WITH STOUT AIOLI AND CORN RELISH

Steps:

• Make the stout aioli: Combine the stout, honey, brown sugar, ancho chile and dried cherries in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 15 minutes. Strain into a bowl, reserving the cherries. Let cool, then combine 1/4 cup of the liquid with the mayonnaise and refrigerate until ready to use. (Save the remaining liquid; it's a great glaze for grilled meat.)
• Make the pickled red onion: Combine the malt vinegar, brown sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, then let cool 10 minutes. Place the red onion in a small bowl and pour the vinegar mixture on top; cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the corn relish: Preheat a grill to medium high. Brush the corn and poblano with olive oil; grill, turning occasionally, until charred. Slice off the corn kernels; seed and chop the poblano. Combine the corn, poblano, tomato and cilantro in a bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Make the burgers: Toast the coriander seeds and mustard seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, about 3 minutes. Crush the seeds in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle and combine with the ground chile, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Chop the reserved cherries from the stout aioli. Combine the ground beef, bratwurst, 1 tablespoon of the seasoning mixture and the cherries in a large bowl with your hands. Form the mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Brush the burgers with vegetable oil. Sprinkle both sides with the remaining seasoning mixture.
• Grill the burgers until slightly charred on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and grill about 4 more minutes for medium. Top with the cheese; cover and cook until melted, about 1 minute. Spread the stout aioli on the top and bottom buns. Sandwich with the burgers, corn relish and pickled red onion.

WISCONSIN BEEF-AND-CHEDDAR BRATS

Steps:

• Set up a grill for direct cooking over high heat. Melt the butter in a large skillet on the grill or side burner. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beer and cover; cook about 10 more minutes. Uncover the skillet and simmer until most of the beer has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and oil the grates. Grill the brats on the grates 4 to 5 minutes per side. Lightly toast the rolls on the grill. Serve the hot brats on the rolls, smothered with the onions and topped with mustard.

PACKER BRATS

Steps:

• Pierce the brat casing multiple times with a fork prior to boiling.
• In a large pasta pot, add beer. Add onion and garlic. Bring to a boil. Add brats. Allow beer to come back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.
• Remove brats from beer, pat dry and grill, turning frequently, until brats are browned all over, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• To serve brats "Classic Style", serve 2 brats each on round, hard rolls with Buttered Kraut and brown mustard.
• To serve brats "Stadium Style", serve 1 brat on a brat or hoagie pun with ketchup, mustard, onion and Buttered Kraut.
• Place sauerkraut in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat (this can also be done in a saucepan on the grill while grilling the brats). Add beer and cook until liquid is almost completely reduced. Add butter, cook, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and absorbs into the kraut, about 5 to 10 minutes.

MANGALITSA BRAT BURGER

Steps:

• For the brat seasoning: Stir together the garlic, salt, red pepper flakes if using, white pepper, marjoram, allspice, mace, nutmeg and ginger in a large bowl.
• For the pork: Preheat a grill to medium heat.
• Add the ground pork and 2 tablespoons cold water to the bowl with the brat seasoning. Mix together until well blended. Form into 6 patties. Grill for 5 minutes on each side.
• For the spread: Combine the honey, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir until smooth.
• To assemble the sandwich: Place the patties on the buns, top with some cabbage and onions, and then smother with some of the spread.