Celebrating Oktoberfest

During the end of September/beginning of October, people around the world visit Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest.  Here in the US, the closest many of us will come to this festive event is a visit to the Festhaus at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.  So, here, I offer you a way to bring a little bit of this celebration into your own home.   

 

Beer Bratwurst

Ingredients:

1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
1 green bell pepper, sliced thin
2 banana peppers, remove ribs and seeds and slice thin
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 pint cherry or grape tomatoes sliced in half (if you have some)
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. black pepper
4 bottles of beer (plus a few for yourself!)
1 package bratwurst

Directions:

In a medium-large pot, bring onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, red/black pepper and beer to a boil on medium-high heat.  Add sausage and cook for 15 minutes or until brats are cooked through.  Remove brats and continue cooking onion/pepper mixture until liquid has evaporated and vegetables are caramelized. 

In the meantime, preheat oven on broil.  Place brats on a broiler pan.  Broil for approximately 5 minutes, turn and continue for another 5 minutes until brats are browned.

Serve bratwurst topped with caramelized onion/peppers.  Add jarred sauerkraut and brown mustard, or serve on a toasted bun  for an even better finish.