Beer Brats

Ingredients

3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cans lager beer
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 fresh bratwursts
8 fresh hot dog buns, toasted
2 cups sauerkraut, for topping
Dijon mustard, for topping
1 to 2 tablespoons pickled jalapenos, chopped for topping

Instructions

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Add the apples, onions, beer, salt and pepper in a medium pot or Dutch oven. Simmer until the apples and onions soften, usually takes a few minutes. Add in the brats and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes, turning once. Remove the brats from the liquid and reserve the beer braising liquid. Brown the brats on the grill, covering with a metal bowl if using a grill pan, until you get nice grill marks on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Place the brats on the buns and drizzle with some of the Beer Cheese Sauce. Top with the sauerkraut, some mustard and the jalapenos.

Beer Cheese Sauce:
12 ounces pasteurized cheese product, cubed, such as Velveeta
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup reserved beer braising liquid, more if needed

Add the cheese and mustard to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until melted and smooth. Add the beer braising liquid and stir to combine. Add more braising liquid if the sauce is too thick; the sauce should be velvety. Yields: 2 cups.