Of all the reasons to celebrate fall, Oktoberfest might just beat Halloween
What is Oktoberfest, you might be wondering? This two week long beer festival (held from mid-to-late September to early October each year) has its origins in Munich, Germany, but is celebrated all over the world. Originally, it was a celebration of the marriage of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese who married in mid-October 1810. Apparently all the celebrating wasn’t enough, as the Oktoberfest carnival was then held each year after. And the rest is beer-soaked history!
We’d gladly skip the candy in favor of beer and pretzels any day, to be honest. And no, you don’t have to fly to Munich to get the full Oktoberfest experience either.
Sausages and Sauerkraut
In this cozy one-pot dinner, you’ll nestle beer-braised bratwurst and tender baby potatoes into sauerkraut and finish the dish with fresh herbs and spicy mustard. (If you’ve never beer-braised anything before, you’re sure to love it.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/4 lb.bratwurst (about 5 links)
- 1large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 lb.baby gold potatoes, halved if large
- 1 Tbsp.caraway seeds
- 1/2 tsp.ground nutmeg
- 12 oz.lager or pilsner beer
- 1dried bay leaf
- 2 1/2 c.drained sauerkraut (from a 24-oz. jar)
- 1/2 c.apple juice
- Sliced fresh chives, for garnish
- Buttered brown bread, for serving
- Whole-grain mustard, for serving
Directions
- Step 1In a large skillet with a lid, heat oil over medium high. Prick sausages all over with the tip of a knife and add to the skillet. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 2Add the onion, potatoes, caraway, and nutmeg to the skillet and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beer and the bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Cover the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3Uncover the skillet and add the sauerkraut and apple juice. Nestle the sausages among the potatoes and sauerkraut and return skillet to a simmer. Cover and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife and sausages are just cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
- Step 4Garnish with chives and serve with brown bread and mustard.
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