Bratwurst and Potato Stew 3 August 2009

A bratwurst is a wonderful thing…so versatile.  It’s a shame most people just cook ‘em and eat ‘em with a bun.

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
• 4 cups milk
• parsley
• oregano
• basil
• 3-4 bratwursts
• potatoes
• salt
• pepper

Directions

1. Slice potatoes into chunks and boil until softened.
2. Drain and set aside.
3. Slice up bratwurst and brown in a pan.
4. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. In another saucepan, combine margarine and milk and heat until margarine is melted.
6. Add parsley, oregano, and basil to taste.
7. Boil for 3-5 minutes to allow spice flavors to seep into the milk.
8. Put bratwurst pan back onto medium heat, mix potatoes and sauce in with it.
9. Cook on medium heat until it reaches the desired consistency.
10. If there is not enough sauce, add some milk.
11. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Maple Sausage Patties 27 July 2009

Better than anything I’ve found in stores.  The liquid smoke really makes it.  From Recipezaar.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. onion powder
• ½ tsp. rubbed sage
• ½ tsp. dried thyme
• ½ tsp. poultry seasoning
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1-2 tsp. mesquite liquid smoke (optional, but really makes it complete)
• oil, for browning

Directions

1. In large bowl or zip-top storage bag, mix all of the ingredients.
2. Shape into patties, place on a plate covered with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Put about a ¼ inch of water in a large skillet.  Add sausage patties and bring to a  boil, cover and steam until water evaporates.  Flip the patties, add another ¼ inch of water and repeat.
4. When water is evaporated, add a little oil and brown the patties on both sides.
5. If you want to make a large batch and freeze:  stop after step 3, freeze flat, then store in the freezer stacked with wax paper in between each patty.  Wrap in aluminum foil and place in a plastic bag to store in freezer.

Chorizo Stew 26 June 2009

Leftovers freeze very well.  Not an original recipe, but I don’t know where I got it from.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• ½ lb. chorizo sausage, casings removed
• 1 large potato, peeled and diced
• 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cans chopped tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1Tbsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 spring onion, sliced
• salt & pepper

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add in the chorizo and cook thoroughly.
2. Add in the bay leaves, onion, and green pepper, sauté for 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat.
3. Add potatoes, beans, tomatoes, paste, and spices.  Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down very low and let simmer covered for 20 minutes.
4. Stir, then leave partially covered for another 20 minutes or until the stew is as thick as you like and the potatoes are cooked.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve topped with spring onion.

Tex-Mex Pork Chops 11 June 2009

I believe this came from somewhwere on Recipezaar, but I don’t have it saved anymore.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 4 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 pork chops

Directions

1. In small bowl, mix all the seasonings.
2. Add oil and mix well.
3. Rub the pork chops with the mixture.
4. Pan-sear on both sides until thoroughly cooked (about 8 minutes).

Bratwurst with Spicy Red Sauce 8 June 2009

Great for groups.  The sauce is very spicy, but the meat does not absorb the flavor so each person just takes as much sauce as they like spice.  I no longer have the link to where the sauce recipe came from.

Ingredients

• 4-8 bratwurst
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 can (about 15 oz.) tomato sauce
• ½ cup chopped white onion
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp. oregano
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a pan, sauté onions until soft.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients except the bratwurst.
3. Continue cooking over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Preheat oven to 350°.
5. Place bratwurst in roasting pan, pour sauce on top.
6. Cook, covered,  in oven for 1 hour.