Thursday, June 21, 2018

Boulder Sausage Bratwursts Links Over Vegetables

 When we downsized, I went through all my recipes and this was a keeper. You will not be disappointed. Boulder Sausage is a local product that is hard to beat. Keep buying their sausage for many moons; bratwurst, Italian sausage, chiorzo, breakfast sausage; all is superior to their competitors. This makes a great appetizer or main meal over pasta with a salad. Also makes for the best Nacho topping! Add some cilantro, parsley, lettuce or spinach for color. I like to cook my spinach atop the Nachos and bake at 400-degrees till pipping hot. Yum! This was published in the Boulder Daily Camera more years ago than I care to admit!

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound Boulder Sausage Bratwurst
  • 1 medium onion, cut in slice
  • 2 cups red bell pepper, cut in slices
  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
  • olive oil
  • 5 ounces Bourisin cheese
  • 1 cup Muenster cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup cream
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
  • chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
 Place bratwurst on preheated grill and grill on medium low heat for 5-8 minutes on each side. 160-degree internal temperature. Remove and slice in bite-sized pieces. Set aside.




















Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Toss the onion, red pepper (I do not like) and mushrooms in olive oil until lightly coated. Place each vegetable on a large sheet pan, in a single layer. Roast until tender and charred; about 15 minutes. Chop the vegetables.







































Mix vegetables and meat in a serving bowl. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine Bourisin cheese, Muenster and cream over low heat until smooth.








































Pour sauce over meat and vegetables.




















To serve sprinkle with fresh, chopped parsley and roasted, chopped walnuts.

Freezer friendly: I place a sheet of foil, a sheet of parchment paper on top, place mixture in the middle and fold over into a package. Place in a plastic bag. Voila, when you want an easy dinner; you can either plan ahead and defrost in the refrigerator or remove the foil and defrost in the microwave.


Halloumi and Summer Vegetable Kebabs

























OK people, I changed this recipe ALOT... Surprise, surprise! I am sure if you followed this recipe to the tee; it would be delicious. However, the ingredients available called to me. Here it goes...
I used 3/4 cup parsley just cause that is what I had AND that is the herb I grew up with. Funny how that is what one gravitates towards. Original recipe called for 1/2 cup packed fresh basil, 1/4 cup packed fresh mint. Other than that the dressing ingredients remained the same. Found the Halloumi cheese at the Cheese Importer in Longmont (one of the diamonds in the rough of L-town). I did not use cherry tomatoes (1 cup) although that would have added some color to this dish. Waiting for the super fresh tomatoes in August. The zucchini I did shave lengthwise and then got weary and just cut chunks. As you can see in the pic; the 2 different variations. Tool of choice for the shaving: OXO Good Grips Y Peeler If I were serving for friends would most likely do the shaving; just cause it is pretty.  This is different, unique dish that I will make again.

Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup packed fresh parsley
  • 3 cloves minced garlic (should increase a bit; cause you might want too)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces Halloumi cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1 small zucchini (shaved lengthwise)
  • 1 small yellow zucchini (shaved lengthwise)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:
Process oil, herbs of choice, garlic and pepper in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour mixure over the cubed Halloumi cheese. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Preheat grill to high (450-degrees) heat. Thread zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and cheese on skewers. I have metal skewers and used about 8. Sprinkle with salt. 

Place kebabs on lightly greased grill grate. Grill, uncovered, until vegetables are tender and cheese is charred. I turned them fairly frequently. I slathered with leftover dressing. YUM!