Tuesday, July 17, 2012

July Tailgating Recipe



It's July, and we are past the All Star Break. As of the writing of this blog, the Bucs are a game out of first place and 10 games above .500. And we are all just praying for them to not repeat last year. August  is only 2 weeks away. It would be nice to have a Pirates baseball season that doesn't end when Steelers Training Camp begins. 

That being said, let's talk tailgating!! Pittsburgh is the northeastern Mecca for German Food. So how about some Beer-Braised Brats, compliments of Midwestliving.com. Enjoy!!! And remember, use German Dark Beer!


Ingredients:

  • 10 uncooked bratwurst links (2 1/2 pounds total)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • large onion, halved and cut into thin slices
  • 12 ounce bottle or cans dark German beer
  • tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • tablespoons vinegar
  • teaspoon caraway seeds
  • teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
  • teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 10 hoagie buns split and toasted
  • Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish

directions

  1. Pierce bratwurst with fork. For a charcoal grill: Arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Place bratwurst on grill rack over drip pan. Cover; grill 20 to 30 minutes or until instant-read thermometer inserted into bratwurst registers 160 degree F, turning once halfway through grilling time. (For a gas grill: Preheat the grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Grill as directed above.)
  2. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender. Add beer, brown sugar, vinegar, caraway seeds, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Place bratwurst in beer mixture; keep warm until serving time.
  3. To serve, place grilled bratwurst in a bun or roll. Using a slotted spoon, top with some cooked onion slices and Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish. Makes 10 sandwiches.
  • Note: Can tote cooked brats and the beer cooking liquid to your tailgating site in an insulated container. Serve within 1 to 2 hours.

Easy Cranberry-Pickle Relish

ingredients

  • cup canned whole cranberry sauce
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish

directions

  1. In a small bowl, combine cranberry sauce and sweet pickle relish.