Bratwurst, Weisswurst and French Fries

Today's meal is in honor of Oktoberfest! Let's make some Bratwurst, Weisswurst and (not German on this one) French Fries!

Step 1: Ingredients

This ingredient may be hard to come. You need a really awesome friend to conspire secretly with your husband to buy you a neat mandolin slicer for your birthday (thanks, AJ!). Alternatively, you just need a mandolin slicer to make potato sticks for french fries.

Next up we have the Bratwurst:

Then we have the Weisswurst:

and last, but certainly not least, we have THE BEER!

Step 2: Cooking the Brats

Pour a bottle of beer in a broad frying pan and place the bratwurst in it, then turn the heat on medium low.

Step 3: Don't let the Brats boil

A bit of bubbling between the brats is okay but don't let the brats come to a boil. Let it simmer like this for at least 25 minutes, gently turning the bratwurst over every 7 or 8 minutes.

Step 4: Start the French Fries

So, while the brats are simmering, heat a frying apparatus (large frying pan, wok, whatever) and when the oil hits 350 degrees, carefully drop your potato sticks in:

Once the fries turn golden brown, remove them from the oil with a metal slotted spoon or a wire mesh basket and let them drain on a draining rack. Be sure to salt them while they're still hot!

Step 5: Pan fry the Bratwurst

After about 25 minute of simmering, drain off the beer and remove the bratwurst. Turn the heat up to medium high and give it a little splash of fresh beer. When you notice that the beer is starting to boil off and caramelize, toss the bratwurst back in.

Step 6: Caramelize the beer and don't let the bratwurst stick

You may notice that the liquid completely cooks away and the brats start to stick. When you notice this, pour just a splash of water in the pan and swirl the brats around in it, turning the brats over every now and again to get a nice, even crisping all over. Don't let the bratwurst stick to the pan.

Also, let's go ahead and start the Weisswurst. In a pot, bring water to a boil. After it boils, turn the heat completely off, then drop your Weisswurst in and cover it. Let it sit for 8 minutes before serving.

Fries are done!

Meat's done!

Let's eat!