Properly Grilled Brats with Sauteed Green Beans

This is a great summer recipe that's also low carb/low glycemic friendly. You may think that it doesn't sound very special or interesting, but I suppose the main reason I am posting this is the special method of cooking the sausages. I just learned today that I've been grilling them the wrong way!

Also, I thought I would share the green bean recipe, as I have been cooking them this way for years. It's hard to think of anything that will go well with sausages other than some form of potatoes or salad. I know so many people who eat mushy green beans from a can. These are really flavorful, with bite and personality. They also complement the beerish flavor of the sausage.

You will see in the pictures I also grilled corn (not very sausage-y). I buttered, salted, and peppered it and wrapped it in foil before putting it on the top rack of the grill for about 20 minutes, turning regularly. Simple.

Ingredients for brats:

-1 package bratwursts
-1 bottle beer

Preheat grill to medium-high heat for about 10 minutes.

Pierce each sausage with a fork.

First, we have to par-boil the sausages. This way they will cook evenly and have a firm, juicy texture. If you just toss sausages on a hot grill you run the risk of either burning them on the outside and making them under-done on the inside or making them all dried out and wrinkly. Neither of these make for a good meal. This technique is genius and (as you see in the photo below) results in a smooth inner texture that is not greasy or chunky, and a crisp outer skin.

Place the sausages in a pan and pour in the bottle of beer. Fill up with water until completely covered. Turn the heat to medium high and let simmer for about 6-8 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into a sausage reads 150F. Place sausages on a plate.

(Start the corn about 15 minutes before you put on the sausages). Turn the grill heat to high, and place the sausages on it. Let them cook about 2-3 minutes per side, enough to get some grill marks and crisp up the skin.

Serve.

Ingredients for green beans:

-6 oz. fresh green beans
-1 clove garlic, chopped
-2 tbsp. butter
-1/4 tsp. dried thyme
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/2 cup chicken stock

Top and tail the beans.

Preheat a pan to medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the butter, garlic, and thyme. Saute until golden, then add in the beans and salt. Toss to combine. Pour in the stock and simmer until fully evaporated, 10-15 minutes.