Friday, July 6, 2012

Lights Out Brats

Not "Lights out, brats!" that is what you say to the kids when they won't go to bed.

No, these are "Lights Out Brats" as it - bratwursts while the power is out.

I was hungry driving home last night and was planning to grill some bratwursts for a quick and easy dinner.  Just as I got home, the angry lines of red, yellow, and green were marching across the weather map towards Knoxville on the evening news.  Then the lights flickered.  Then they went out.  And the storm wasn't even here yet, just the winds.

Age Check:  Who remembers the song "That's The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" (and NOT the Reba McEntire version)?  

We lucked out and got the weakest parts of the storm.  There were some downed trees blocking the road just hundreds of feet up the ridge from our house (Nubbin's Ridge) and a marina to the East of us collapsed during the storm and boats capsized.  All we had was no power for a short while and some hungry people, no big deal at all considering what everyone else has been putting up with.

Once the worst of the wind and heavy rain passed by, we made these while the power was still out.  Note - all measurements are estimations and SWAG.  

Forgive the pic quality, remember this was taken on a stormy evening with the power out.  Windows, exposure, and slow shutter speeds are a wonderful thing.

Lights Out Brats
source:  www.nibblemethis.com

Ingredients
  • 5 Johnsonville Brats
  • 5 split buns
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into 1/4" wedges
  • 1 sweet onion, peeled and sliced into 1/4" wedges
  • 1.5 tsp BBQ rub*
  • 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 can Bush's Best Seasoned Black Beans
Instructions
  1. Go to your electrical panel and turn off the main circuit, killing all power to your house.
  2. Preheat a charcoal grill to 325f.  
  3. Toss the pepper and onion slices in a bowl with the BBQ rub, vinegar, and oil.  
  4. Place all ingredients on the grill.  Put the beans in a small foil pan (you can try putting them on the grill without the pan but it doesn't work well).  Put the veggie mix in a grill topper or veggie wok.  Put the brats on the grates.
  5. Cook for 15 - 18 minutes with the grill lid closed.  Rotate the brats every 3-4 minutes.  Toss the veggies occasionally.  Stir the beans once or twice.  
  6. Remove and serve each brat on a bun topped with some of the beans, green pepper, and onions.
Notes
  • BBQ Rub - use your favorite homemade or commercial rub.  You could even just use salt and pepper.
The most important ingredient while the power is out?  A manual can opener! 
Veggies chopped and ready for dressing with oil, vinegar and rub.

I didn't even pull the cover all of the way off of the Egg's table while cooking (that's the green  stuff on the far end).

No power outage on my grill!  

Lights Out Brat

To be honest, I originally planned for the beans to just be a side but I figured, why not just throw them on top too.  

[Standard Disclaimer]  I have a relationship with Bush Beans and Johnsonville but this is not a sponsored post.  It was just getting dark and I needed something tasty and easy.