Wisconsin Beef And Cheddar Brats With Beer Braised Onions Recipes

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.

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.

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.

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 CHEDDAR BRAT

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium heat.
• Bring beer to boil in medium saucepan. Add bratwursts; simmer 8 min. Drain.
• Grill bratwursts 4 to 5 min. or until done (160ºF), turning occasionally.
• Meanwhile, mix mayo and mustard until blended; set aside.
• Spread cut sides of buns with mayo mixture; fill with bratwursts and cheese. Place in disposable foil pan; cover. Place foil pan on grill grate.
• Grill 2 min. or until cheese is melted. Remove sandwiches from grill; top with onions.