Why wait for Oktoberfest to indulge in some German goodness? German cuisine is known for being hearty, unpretentious, and flavorful, with a focus on meat, potatoes, and some sour and tangy flavors. Bratwurst and sauerkraut deliver exactly this, with juicy, savory sausage complemented by the tanginess of sauerkraut and sweetness of apples, served up on creamy mashed potatoes. It's a relaxed dinner option that delivers big flavor!
Ingredients
1tablespoonbutter
8bratwurst sausages
1cupapple juice
1largeonion, sliced
3cupssauerkraut, drained
1red baking apple, sliced
Minced parsley, to serve
Mashed Potatoes
1lbpotatoes, diced
¾teaspoonEACH: salt and pepper
2 tablespoonsbutter
¼ cupwhipping cream
Instructions
Start by making the mashed potatoes. Place the diced potatoes into a medium-sized pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and then drain the pot. Add the butter, cream, salt, and pepper and mash the potatoes. Slowly stir in some of the reserved cooking water, until the potatoes are wonderfully creamy.
1 lb potatoes, ¾ teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons butter, ¼ cup whipping cream
While the potatoes are boiling, make the bratwurst. Melt the butter in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the bratwurst and cook until brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. Remove them from the pan.
1 tablespoon butter, 8 bratwurst sausages
Add the onion and cook until it turns soft and golden, then add the sauerkraut and mix well. Add the bratwurst to the pan then pour the apple juice over the top. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 20 minutes, until the bratwurst is fully cooked.
1 large onion, 3 cups sauerkraut, 1 cup apple juice
Nestle the apple slices around the bratwurst and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes more. Serve the bratwurst and sauerkraut over the mashed potatoes with a little minced parsley on top.
1 red baking apple, Minced parsley
Notes
The best apples for this recipe are gala, ambrosia, or fuji.A scoop of sour cream on the side makes this extra awesome.This recipe was tested using North Coast apple juice, which is really great juice.