Spring Grilling Season: Nolechek’s Sweet & Savory Bratwurst
Wisconsinites, it's time to haul that grill out of the garage, if you haven’t already!
We've got specialty bratwurst galore and we're here with our Top 3 Spring Specialty Brats - as well as new ideas for condiments - to bring your first grilled brat of spring to the next level.
Wisconsin is known for many things, like the beautiful shoreline along Lake Michigan and our beloved Green Bay Packers football team. However, one could make a solid argument that Wisconsin is equally famous for its specialty foods, in this case: the humble bratwurst.
The history of the “brat” goes all the way back to the 19th century, when German immigrants settled in Wisconsin and brought their love of Old World Bratwurst right along with them. At Nolechek's, we honor that tradition with our Traditional Fresh Bratwurst that has followed the same recipe for over 65 years and been recognized with multiple state and national awards. But as they say, variety is the spice of life, and we love our Specialty Brats - especially when topped with unexpected fixings!
Apricot Dijon Brats with Grilled Honeyed Pineapple
If you liked our Hawaiian Bacon Cheeseburger recipe, you'll love our Apricot Dijon Brats with grilled, honeyed pineapple. These brats get their hint of sweetness from real apricot preserves made locally by the Huber Family. The mild, sweet flavor is the perfect complement to the tangy bite from flavorful Dijon mustard. For the pineapple topping, combine 1 cup orange juice (fresh is best) with 1/2 cup honey and heat on high in the microwave for 10 - 15 seconds or warm it on the stovetop in a small saucepan. Pour 1/4 of the mixture over sliced fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, and marinate for 30 minutes.
Next, drain the now-marinated pineapple and place on a baking sheet in a preheated oven. Roast at 450°F for about 10 minutes and drizzle with the remaining honey mixture. Serve on top of Wisconsin's best Apricot Dijon Brats - with or without a bun. We like this easy, delicious dish with a side of roasted vegetables.
Mango Habañero Brats with Spicy Remoulade
For those with more adventurous taste buds, our Mango Habañero Brats with a spicy remoulade are a match made in sausage heaven. The sweetness of dried mangoes is a perfect prelude the heat from the potent habañero peppers. We like these brats topped with an easy spicy remoulade and paired with a platter of fresh fruit or fruit salad.
This fancy condiment recipe calls for ingredients you likely already have in your refrigerator and pantry: 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt, ¼ cup stone-ground mustard, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon capers, ¼ cup diced pickles, 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish, 1 crushed garlic clove, ¼ teaspoon hot paprika, and ½ teaspoon hot sauce. Simply blend all the ingredients in a food processor and chill until ready to place on top of your spicy bratwurst!
Sassy Honey BBQ Brats with Beer-Braised Onions
Nothing says grilling season like our Sassy Honey BBQ Brats with beer-braised onions. Nolechek's recipe pairs the smoky sweetness of barbeque sauce with a hint of spicy heat for a delicious fresh bratwurst that screams “SUMMER IS COMING!”. To prepare the beer-braised onions, melt 1⁄2 ounce butter in a saucepan, add a thinly sliced sweet onion and saute until onions are just tender. Then, add 8 ounces of your favorite beer, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve the braised onions while they’re still warm, slathered on top of your Sassy Honey BBQ Brats, along with a side of creamy coleslaw or potato salad.
