Tag Archives: party

Brats in Beer ( party or game day recipe ) – so easy

Posted on by
1

With this easy recipe, it’s just a few ingredients in a pot, and a few on the side – and it’s time to party! The first time I had real ” Brats in Beer ” was at my childhood friend (also one of my bridesmaids) Jill’s house for a backyard BBQ. They lived in Los Angeles but her husband Bob Eroen (German heritage) had grown up in Manhattan Beach and knew where to get real homemade “bratwurst”. Where? Alpine Village, in Torrance California (a little inland of Manhattan Beach). It was her lovely daughter’s 4th birthday? I added the question mark because as Ellen DeGeneres said in a comedy skit when describing a child’s age while moving her hand up and down above an imaginary head , “Oh she was so cute! She was like 2…or 6…or 10 or…something…” I’m a mother, yet ironically, I cannot remember things like my friends’ kids’ ages as well as I used to! But that day, I DO remember thinking, “I have to make this recipe for a party some day – it’s so easy”. So here you go!

 

Easiest Party Recipe. Brats in Beer.

Easiest Party Recipe. Brats in Beer. I don’t have time for professional photos. Do you?

Ingredients:

  • Bratwurst (1 1/2 per person).
  • Beer (1/2 can or bottle per brat)
  • Onion (1/4 for each brat)
  • Garlic cloves (as many or as few as you want. I like to smear them on the roll. I’m weird that way).
  • Butter (Tablespoon for every brat. Optional but delicious). 
  • Rolls (also optional. I find that if the rolls are too bready, they take away from the Brats flavor. But if you love bread, by all means get bready)
  • Various Mustards (this is where it gets fun. Make honey mustard (so easy), horseradish mustard, serve whole grain mustard, maple mustard etc….
  • Sauerkraut
  • Sliced peppers (I love having sliced Pepperoncinis , sweet Cherry Peppers etc… in small bowls on the side – whatever you like!)

 

Heat onions in butter. You don’t eat butter? Use oil, no problem. Add garlic and brats. Some people grill the brats to cook them ahead of time and add some grilled flavor. I find it easier just to boil them in the pot. Add a little water if the liquid reduces down too much. Serve with rolls, mustards, sauerkraut and peppers on the side. Keep the brats on the burner and let people come to the stove. Done!

Easy Caramel Sauce

Posted on by
Reply

While traditional Caramel Sauce needs a candy thermometer, that is way too difficult for my lifestyle right now. One of the best parts about this recipe (like what I try to do with all of the recipes I share here) is that you cannot make any mistakes , (a little less sugar or a little less butter, no problem!). You also can whip it up in no time with ingredients that most everyone has readily available in their kitchen. This sauce works really well on top of baked apples and drizzled on apple pie. 

 

Ingredients for caramel are usually in everyone's kitchen cupboards.

Ingredients for caramel are usually in your kitchen already.

  • 1 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 Stick Butter
  • 1 Cup Cream (or Half and Half)
  • 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon salt (unless your butter is salted, than a pinch will do fine).

 

Put all ingredients except vanilla in a pot over a low flame. Whisk to melt butter.

Whisk ingredients except vanilla over a low flame.

Whisk ingredients except vanilla over a low flame.

 

Once the caramel is thickened, put in the fridge to thicken more.

Once the caramel is thickened, put in the fridge to thicken more.

Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens. Remove from flame and stir in vanilla.

 

 

Store in glass container and put in the fridge. Caramel will continue to thicken in the fridge.

 

 

 

 

Homemade Caramel made with milk, butter and cream. So easy!

Homemade Caramel made with milk, butter and cream. So easy!

My husband and daughter are ice cream afficianados. That is to say, they are very particular about the type and kind of ice cream they eat and exactly what tops it. This sauce is family approved.

Raspberries and Chocolate

Posted on by
Reply

One of my High School and Facebook friends posted this. I love recipes that can be explained with just a photo and with 140 characters or less on my Twitter account. Any kid could make these. 

These Raspberries filled with Mini Chocolate Chps are so easy to make and perfect for summer parties.

Raspberries filled with Mini Chocolate Chps are a perfect dessert for a summer party.

 

  • Raspberries
  • Mini Chocolate Chips 

 

Put the chips in the center of each Raspberry. Done!

easy, recipe, raspberries, chocolate, dessert, simple, party, summer, recipe

Cookie Dough Truffles

Posted on by
Reply

Truffles are easy. But these are easier. Love cookie dough? Who doesn’t? But, because most cookie dough contains raw egg, it’s not a good idea to eat raw cookie dough. Enter “pasteurized eggs”. Pasteurization heats the eggs up to a temperature that kills whatever bacteria might be on the egg or inside (like salmonella which is unfortunately somewhat common on eggs). I’ve read that one can pasteurize eggs at home by merely heating water up to 140 degrees Fahreinheit and leaving the eggs in the water for 5 minutes. I have not tried this myself because it’s much easier to just buy pasteurized egg product at the store. Plus, I don’t have to break any eggs. Bonus!

Make cookie dough with pasteurized eggs to eat it safely before baking!

Make cookie dough with pasteurized eggs to eat it safely before rolling in cocoa powder, or other topping to make party  “truffles”. So easy….

Your kids will LOVE making these!

 

Make your favorite cookie recipe with pasteurized eggs. 

 

With clean hands, roll “truffles” in your hand to form little circles (any size you like).

 

Then, roll your “truffles” in sweetened cocoa powder, or confectioner’s sugar, chocolate jimmies, mini white chocolate chips, nuts, coconut or even chili powder! Super fun. Super easy. A great party dessert recipe!

truffle recipe easy cookie dough dessert desserts sweet catering party