Wisconsinites: Given that I have no beer in the house

[Oeditpus Rex]

is there still a way I can properly cook bratwurst? :shrug:

[smoogatz]

1. Okay, two problems--

First, um, NO--and second, how is it possible that you live in Wisconsin and have NO BEER in the house? Next thing you know, it's gonna rain freaking frogs.

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. I live in Kollyforniya

Which is why I'm clueless about brats. :shrug:

I have no beer in the house because I've been sober for 17 1/2 years. :hi:

[lizziegrace]

3. boil them forever

then throw them on the grill. :)

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. Boil *and* grill??

What's the boiling for, to remove any last resemblance of flavor? :shrug:

And how many minutes in "forever"?

[lizziegrace]

7. I boil them to make sure they're completely cooked

it also boils out a lot of the fat. They're thick and sometimes don't cook all the way through on the grill.

:)

30 minutes or so?

[smoogatz]

6. Oh, well then. Hem. Why dintcha say so?

I guess I better call the State Police back and tell 'em it was a false alarm...

[ellisonz]

27. Good work on the sobriety!

:hi:

[lutefisk]

14. Boil them in some water with onions (cut like big rings)

I've done it without beer in emergencies and it's ok. Having both chopped raw onions and the the boiled/steamed onions is important with or without the beer, though. Lately, I've tried to get out of my comfort zone and tried sauerkraut on my brats- not bad.

And don't poke them with a fork, if you can help it- the fat will squirt out and leave you with dried out brats.

What do you use for buns out there? I assume your gocery store doesn't have a very big selection of brat buns.

[Oeditpus Rex]

16. There are special buns for brats?

Who knew? :shrug:

[Serendipitous]

18. Oh ya!!

They're a bit softer on the inside and chewier on the outside!!

[Connonym]

30. Gods yes there are different buns!

Amateur! as stated above, a brat bun is chewy on the outside and soft on the inside. Also, yes, they should be boiled in beer and then grilled for maximum flavor. The extra step is worth it.

But, dood, you live in foo-foo land, why aren't you having a Boca soy brat*?

*Boca soy brats are actually pretty good and 9/10 I will choose that over a regular because I'm scared of the fat content of real brats.

[Oeditpus Rex]

45. I've never even *heard* of a Boca soy brat

So who's the foo-foo now? :P

[Serendipitous]

5. Grill, low heat... about 25 minutes.

I said LOW heat.

[joneschick]

8. what he said.

with some onions if you can. what kind of brats can you get in CA? I have to send my brother special care packages from Usingers. :hi:

[Serendipitous]

9. Johsonvilles are sooo much better.

Just my $0.02.

[Oeditpus Rex]

11. Johnsonville's what I got

They were sittin' in the deli thing at Albertson's, softly calling my name.

I microwaved 'em the first time. That didn't work out so well. x(

[Serendipitous]

12. Ewwww

ok, in a pickle, you can pan fry them. Again... low heat with maybe a tablespoon of water. I'd go 30 or so minutes on them.

[Serendipitous]

10. Or you could "Knock out the fat!!" and Foreman them!

[Oeditpus Rex]

13. Foreman?

As in Red? Or as in the erstwhile redux version of the Limelighters? :shrug:



Btw — welcome to DU. :hi:

[Serendipitous]

15. No no no. The Lean Mean Grillin' Machine!!

And, thanks!! :hi:

[mduffy31]

17. Okay you can also do this

Get into your car, drive down to the local store and get some beer. Don't turn this into a Cornflake Chicken incident. You cannot properly cook Bratwurst without beer.

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. Braise them in beef broth with onions

Never, ever boil - I have no idea how that bullshit myth got started. Never boil meat, esp. brats, because they explode and then let out all their wonderful juices.

Braise, slowly, for 20 minutes or so.

Since you don't do alcohol, I suggest beef broth with a good amount of sliced onions in it.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. Oh - and then grill, of course.

Sorry - I took it as a total assumption that of course you knew to grill them after cooking them. But I see above that you didn't know that -

absolutely, gotta be grilled.

Sometimes I don't grill mine and just braise them til their finished - they're stil good, but nothing makes 'em perfect like getting their skin a little crispy and pumping in some of that good grill taste.

[Serendipitous]

21. I am so with you on the "Never, ever boil" recommendation.

:thumbsup:

The thought makes me shudder.

[jane_pippin]

22. You lost me at "no beer in the house."

But looks like others gave you some good advice. Enjoy your blasphemous brat. :D

[RevCheesehead]

23. NEXT TIME:

Check the freezer section for Johnsonville Brown Heat n Serve Brats. Already cooked & grilled. All ya gotta do is zap 'em in the microwave for a minute. AND - the bag is resealable.

:toast:

[Connonym]

31. Those things scare me

They have the most disgusting color and I can't get past that. Sheesh, even the thought of it is making me vaguely queasy.

[RetroLounge]

24. I feel your pain

(16 1/2 years here without a beer in the house)...

I agree with the braise in broth and onions. Peppers too if you want. Don't boil...

Then grill them.

Great with spicey dark mustarsd too.

enjoy :hi:

RL

[Cobalt-60]

25. Yes: Beer Run!

[Oeditpus Rex]

26. It'd be nice

if people read all the posts.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6305805#6305832

[Callalily]

28. LOL I read all the

posts. I rarely do the beer thing even though I'm from Wisconsin. Take Rabrrrrrr's advice, it's the best here. Happy grilling!

Oh, and if you're out of mustard, try here >>> http://www.mustardweb.com/

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

29. What in the hell are you doing in Wisconsin...

without beer in your fridge?!

That's like living in New York City and not having an attitude!

[LynneSin]

32. Can't you have your Wisconsin citizenship revoked for not having beer in the house

:shrug:

[Jimbo S]

38. Better deport me

for I am guilty. But then who would want me? :shrug:

[LynneSin]

41. We'll send you to Utah - they're a bunch of tea-totallers with all those Mormons

:D

[Jimbo S]

43. Won't work. I'm too much of a pervert.

I may be a tea-totaller, but I still wouldn't fit in with the Mormons. :evilgrin:

[Connonym]

47. That's what makes you fun Jimbo

vive les perverts

[Jimbo S]

49. Aw, shucks!

mon amie. :hug:

[reyd reid reed]

33. I cook it all the time...without beer.

Just grill 'em over low heat or you can even fry 'em. If I fry 'em, I'll brown 'em up, then add a little water to the skillet, turn down the heat and cover it for about 20 minutes. Then just take off the cover, turn up the heat until the liquid's gone and they crisp up a little. Add a few sliced onions to the pan at the end and cook 'em until they're ready, however long that takes -- just a few minutes.

And don't forget the mustard.

Great. Now I want brats.

You're a brat, y'know?

x(

[Poiuyt]

34. I know this is heresy coming from a Wisconsinite, but the best way to prepare

brats is by baking, not grilling. Precook them for about 20-30 minutes by gently sauteing, then combine with scalloped potatoes and bake at 350 for 1.5-2 hr. They are much more tender. Sometimes when you grill, the skin gets a little tough.

BTW, if you are going the beer boil/grill route, DO NOT boil. Just gently simmer. If you boil them, the skins can burst and all the goodness will leak out.

[Rabrrrrrr]

36. Or bake them in a pot of sauerkraut

I don't like sauerkraut much, but I like brats that have been cooked in it, and have been known to dabble a little kraut on the bratwurst in the bun.

[Zookeeper]

39. Yes!

I threw together dinner recently by browning brats and onions, added a can of beer, a few potatoes, a pinch of caraway seeds and a package of fresh sauerkraut and let it simmer. It was a hit with Zoofamily.

[Connonym]

37. I like the skin to get crispy

My concept of a good brat is that the skin snaps when you bite into it and you get the burst of bratty goodness. Could it be that there's more than one way to enjoy a brat? That itself is a scandalous notion. But damn, now I really want a brat.

[Poiuyt]

42. I guess I don't like that "skin snap"

The hot oils that spew out and burn my oh so delicate mouth. I will, however, defend to the death your right to cook brats any way you wish.

The only item of which there can be no debate is to buy Jacobs brats. Never skimp on good brats:

http://www.jacobsmeatmarket.com/index.html

[EOTE]

35. Do you have any red wine?

I've modified the beer brat recipe to use red wine instead of beer and I think it's delicious. Against the wishes of many on the board, I DO like to boil them first. I use a couple cups of water, a couple cups of red wine (I've used Merlot in the past), a half stick of butter and a packet of Lipton's French Onion Soup mix. If you've got scallions or onions, chop those up and put them in too. Boil maybe 10 minutes or so, then pop them on the grill until they're done cooking. I miss Wisconsin :(.

[skygazer]

40. Having read all these replies, I have advice

When posting a request like this, list carefully in the OP several times that

1. You do NOT live in Wisconsin.

2. You do NOT have any alcohol in the house because you DON'T DRINK!

3. You don't drink because you're sober by choice.

4. You don't want to drink.

5. You want to cook bratwurst without any alcohol.


Remember to repeat each item several times, possibly in all caps with appropriate punctuation (!!111!).

As for the brats, I got no idea, my friend. :hi:

[Oeditpus Rex]

44. I can put that advice to work

a lot more'n any advice about cookin' brats.

:hi:

[youthere]

46. Okay..don't panic...I was raised in WI, here's what you do:

simmer the brats in a little water, with a couple tablespoons of cider vinegar (or better yet, red wine vinegar), LOTS of sliced onion, a bay leaf and a good generous splash of worcestesire (sp?) sauce. Throw in a couple peppercorns. You don't want to boil the brats! REPEAT DO NOT BOIL THE BRATS!! Just simmer them gently for a few minutes, then turn off the heat and let them sit for an hour or so, THEN grill them (slow to let them cook through) over indirect heat (or low heat if you have a gas grill). Slow and Low..that's the key, otherwise you end up with dry tasteless brats. The last 5 or ten minutes put them over direct heat (or high heat for a gas grill) just to kind of crisp up the casings.
Make sure you have good brat buns..no Wonder buns or crap like that.
And if you don't have beer OR brat buns, just throw the damn things away and go get a burger or something.

[Connonym]

48. one more thing do NOT under any circumstances eat a brat with ketchup

it will cause a rift in the space time continuum and the world as we know it will be forever altered. Got it?