Wisconsin Beef And Cheddar Brats With Beer Braised Onions Food

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.

BEER-BRAISED BRATWURST & ONIONS

Steps:

• In a large (12-inch) cast iron skillet or nonstick pan with a tight-fitting lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the bratwurst and sear until nicely browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer the sausage to a plate; set aside. Add the onions and salt to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are softened and golden brown, about 5 minutes (do not burn; reduce the heat if necessary).
• Place the bratwurst back in the pan on top of the onions, add the beer, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover with the lid, and simmer for 10 minutes (at this point the sausages will be partially cooked through). Remove the cover, increase the heat to medium, and continue cooking until the bratwurst are cooked through and the beer is reduced by about three quarters, 10 to 12 minutes more. Serve the bratwurst and onions on rolls with mustard and sauerkraut, if desired.
• Note: I use Johnsonville Original Brats; avoid any brats already flavored with beer, as the finished dish will taste too bitter. Also be sure to purchase fresh (not cooked) sausages.
• Note: Lager is a family of beers that includes bright lagers, amber lagers, dark lagers, Oktoberfests, and pilsners. I use Sam Adams Oktoberfest, but Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite are all good options. No need to use anything fancy!
• Note: The nutritional information does not include the optional serving ingredients.

STEAK WITH BEER-BRAISED ONIONS

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 6 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the thyme sprigs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook until the onion is lightly browned, about 5 more minutes. Add the beer, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until reduced by three-quarters, about 15 minutes. Increase the heat to high, pour in the beef broth and simmer until thickened, about 2 more minutes; season with salt and pepper. Discard the thyme.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook as the label directs, adding the peas in the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and return to the saucepan. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
• Season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the steaks until lightly browned and just cooked through, about 1 minute per side. Serve with the noodles; top with the braised onions and parsley.

GRILLED BEER BRATS WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, deep saute pan or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until browned and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onions, the green and red peppers and the garlic and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the peppers are wilted and lightly browned. Add the beer, chicken stock, thyme, bay leaf and rosemary and deglaze the pan. Prick holes in the brats with a fork or skewer to prevent them from bursting during cooking. Add the brats to the pan, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 to 17 minutes, turning the brats halfway through.
• Preheat a grill or cast-iron griddle to medium-high heat.
• Remove the brats from the pot; let the braising liquid continue to simmer and reduce. Pat the brats dry with paper towels, then score them diagonally, making 3 or 4 shallow incisions on either side (this will ensure plenty of crispy edges when grilled). Brush the grill lightly with oil and grill the brats for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until well-marked.
• When the braising liquid has reduced to the consistency of a sauce, remove it from the heat and stir in the mustard and butter. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• To serve, spoon some of the braising sauce, along with the peppers and onions, onto a platter. Set the grilled brats on top and drizzle with the remaining sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.

WISCONSIN BRATS AND BEER CHEDDAR CHOWDER

Steps:

• 1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and shallots. Reduce heat to medium low. Cook, stirring frequently, about 10-15 minutes or until the onion is very soft and golden.
• 2. In a large screw top jar, combine broth and flour. Cover and shake until combined and smooth. Stir into the onion mixture. Add the milk (or cream) and black pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Gradually, stir in the cheese; reduce heat to low. Cook stirring frequently until cheese melts, but do not boil!
• 3. Stir in the bratwurst and beer. Stir until just heated through. Serve. Garnish with freshly chopped chives or green onion tops and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar as garnish. Serve with warm rye bread, garlic bread or any crusty bread. Also wonderful served in bread bowls.

WISCONSIN BEER BRATS

Steps:

• Preheat grill over medium-high heat. Clean and oil grate. In a large pot over medium-high heat, add brats, onion, and beer.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until brats are cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove brats to a bowl or platter. Continue cooking onions in beer while grilling the brats (use as a topping if desired).
• Increase heat to medium and cook brats, turning frequently, until browned, about 5 minutes. Serve in buns with your favorite toppings.