Crescent Wrapped Brats And Sauerkraut Recipes

SAUERKRAUT BEEF BUNS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Add sauerkraut. Cool for 15 minutes. , Meanwhile, flatten each piece of dough. Top each with a heaping tablespoonful of beef mixture. Fold dough over filling to meet in center; pinch edges to seal. , Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter. Serve warm.

BRATS WITH SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Place the bratwurst in a 5-qt. slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine the sauerkraut, apples, bacon, brown sugar, onion and mustard; spoon over bratwurst. , Cover and cook on low until a thermometer inserted in the sausage reads 160°, 6-8 hours. , Place brats in buns; using a slotted spoon, top with sauerkraut mixture.

BRATWURST APPETIZER BITES WITH SAUERKRAUT DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375-degrees.
• Cut the uncooked bratwurst into 1" pieces to make 24 pieces.
• In a large skillet, brown the bratwurst pieces (on medium/high heat) in the oil until browned and cooked through, turning occasionally (approximately 10 minutes).
• Remove the cooked bratwurst to a paper towel to drain and cool.
• Pop and unroll the crescent sheet. Slice the sheet in half lengthwise and then slice into ½" strips to equal 24 - 6" strips.
• Wrap each cooked bratwurst piece in one of the 6" crescent strips.
• Place each wrapped bratwurst onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water.
• Brush each crescent wrapped bratwurst with a bit of the egg wash, being careful not to saturate the bites as this will make them stick to the tray.
• Sprinkle each bratwurst bite with poppy seeds.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the sauerkraut, mayonnaise, pepper, and smoked paprika. Keep cold until ready to serve.
• Serve the bratwurst bites warm (or at room temperature), along with the chilled sauerkraut sauce.

CRESCENT WRAPPED BRATS AND SAUERKRAUT

Steps:

• Make Ahead -- This is why I like this recipe. The Onions can be made ahead; the mustard and honey sauce can be made ahead; and the brats can even be made ahead This will save lots of time if you are having this for a party.
• Brats -- Now if pre-cooked, skip this step. If not, I like to cook mine in a in deep saute pan with 1 can of beer and a couple of cups of water (you can use all water if you want), and just simmer on medium for about 15 minutes. Follow directions on the package. I prefer to simmer rather than pan saute or grill. I don't like mine to be browned for this recipe.
• Sauerkraut -- Drain well. You don't want any liquid for this. I even set the kraut after I drain it on a paper towel and squeeze to make sure it is nice and dry.
• Mustard -- Mix the mustard and the honey and set to the side. One half is used for the brats, and 1/2 for extra dipping. You can use a store bought honey mustard if you want, but I prefer to make mine fresh.
• Wraps -- On a cookie sheet either sprayed well with a non-stick spray or I prefer to use parchment paper (no clean up), lay out the crescent rolls from the can. I use a rolling pin just to flatten a little, and to make sure all the seams are pressed together. This is KEY. ;You don't want to use the pre-cut crescent roll triangles.
• Use a pizza cutter or a knife and cut from top left corner to bottom right corner and and same on the other side to make 4 large triangles. This is a must to fit around the brat.
• NOTE: If you wanted, you could use 2 triangles (needing 2 cans of the crescent rolls) if you prefer your brat enclosed more. Personally, I prefer using one triangle, but you could always add more if necessary.
• Filling -- Now on each triangle, I use a pastry brush, but a knife will work fine - add a little of the honey mustard dressing. Then 1/4 cup of the sauerkraut on each triangle, toward the long edged end, and finally the bratwurst. Roll up, just like you would a crescent roll. You can use less kraut if you want, but 1/4 cup works for me. I think it also depends on the size of the bratwurst, and each brand is a bit different.
• Bake -- On the top of each roll, make 4-5 thin slices 1/2" apart with a knife, this will allow the kraut to heat up and cook the crust more evenly. Brush with the egg (which will give it a crisp brown crust) and sprinkle with the caraway seeds if you want. I like the caraway, but it is optional.
• Pre-heat the oven to 375, and bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
• Onions -- As the brats cook, use the same pan you cooked the brats in (liquid thrown out), and melt the butter on medium high. Add the onion and cook until soft, tender and golden, around 10 minutes. Not too brown, just tender and golden. It will take about the same time as it takes to bake the brats. You can always make the onions ahead of time.
• Serve -- Plate your wrapped brats with the extra honey mustard as a dip and the sauteed onions.
• Beer Cheese Sauce Optional -- Recipe #162043, is a great recipe but I prefer to use a sharp cheddar and a dark or amber. This is a great sauce to go with the brats. ENJOY!

KIELBASA (SMOKED SAUSAGE) ROLL-UPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven 350 degrees.
• Combine melted butter and mustard thoroughly.
• Open package of rolls onto a sheet of waxed paper and separate into 8 pieces. (I use a pizza cutter along the perforated markings for this step.).
• Brush each piece with the butter/mustard mixture. (You'll have some left-set aside for last step.).
• Add caramelized onions. (Optional).
• Cut sausage into 8 equal sections.
• Place one sausage on each piece of dough on it's widest end. Carefully roll until the pointed end is on bottom. (Pinch and tuck sides in.).
• Place pockets (seam side down) on ungreased baking sheet.
• Brush tops with remaining butter/mustard mixture.
• Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown in color.