Beer, it's what's for dinner

I was flipping through my recipes, wondering what I should talk about next and decided why not an unusual cooking ingredient? Sure everyone likes a tall frosty mug of beer once in a while, but how many times do you think about cooking with it? It's quite versatile and can add a different flavor to any dish.  So, here's two somewhat simple ways to incorporate your favorite beer into your next dinner!

Brats & Beer

Ingredients:
8 brats     1 large onion, sliced     1 12 oz. beer    1 c. chili sauce     1 c. ketchup     
2 tbsp. vinegar  1 tbsp. worcestershire sauce        2 tbsp. brown sugar   1 tbsp. paprika  
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Boil brats in water filled skillet for 10 minutes. 
2. Drain and put in slow cooker.
3. Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over the meat.
4. Cook on high for 2 hours.

Beer Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients:

16 oz. macaroni                 1/4 c. butter     2 minced garlic cloves     1/4 c. flour     

1 tbsp. ground mustard      1 tsp. salt        3/4 tsp. pepper                 2 1/2 c. milk

3/4 c. amber beer               1/4 c. heavy whipping cream                   3 c. shredded cheddar

2 c. shredded fontina          2 tbsp. grated parmesan                         2 tbsp. chives

5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

1. Cook macaroni according to al dente directions.
2. In a dutch oven, heat butter over medium high heat.
3. Add garlic; cook and stir for 1 minute.
4. Stir in flour, mustard, salt and pepper until smooth.
5. Gradually whisk in milk, beer and cream.
6. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes or until thick - Make sure to keep stirring.
7. Reduce heat and add 2 c. cheddar, all of the fontina and 1 tbsp. parmesan until melted.
8. Add chives.
9. Drain macaroni and stir in sauce.
10. Transfer to a greased 3 qt. baking dish. 
11. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar and parmesan.
12. Bake, uncovered, at 400 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and heated through.
13. Top with crumbled bacon.

The brats are a really simple and quick crock pot recipe. It's a great one to do in a jiffy. Though the mac & cheese seems more involved, it's really not.  It's generally the same sort of recipe as if you were to make the box stuff - boil pasta, melt and mix stuff to make sauce. The difference is that you have real ingredients and not fake cheese powder and baking it makes it all come together in a gooey yummy mess. Mac & cheese is one of my favorite things and I'm sure you'll see at least another recipe pop up in my blog in the future.

As always, have fun!