Beer Brats and Orzo Pea Salad

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David LOVES brats.  I had never eaten a brat before I was pregnant, I thought they were too much like hotdogs.  One day, when I was pregnant with Daniel, David was grilling up some brats for lunch.  For some reason (probably being that I was pregnant) they looked soooo good and I HAD to have one!  David gave me one, and I ended up eating 3!  Now that I am not pregnant anymore, I am not much of a fan again, unless they are cheddar brats, but I still make them because David likes them so much.  Daniel really likes them too, he loves to dip them in ketchup.  Tonight I served these up with my Orzo Pea Salad, which is one of my absolute favorites for the summer!

Beer Brats

• 
  
  1 six pack of your favorite amber or dark beer
• 
  
  1 onion, sliced
• 
  
  6 cloves garlic
• 
  
  5 fresh bratwurst sausages

In a large pot or dutch oven heat the beer, onion, and garlic to boiling.  Turn down heat to low, add the brats and cover.  Slow simmer for 3-5 hours in the beer.  Grill the brats on an outdoor grill until browned on all sides. Serve on a brat bun with your favorite condiments - David swears that you only eat brats with mustard.  He told Daniel tonight that "brats are a religion and eating brats with anything other than mustard is blasphemous!"  Daniel responded by dipping his brat in ketchup and taking a big bite!  Haha!

Orzo Pea Salad

I LOVE this salad!  I came up with it after I had something similar at an afternoon tea party in Paris.  I usually make this if I am having a large gathering, tea party, picnic, you name it, I make it.  It is constantly requested.

• 
  
  I large package frozen peas, thawed
• 
  
  2 cups cooked orzo, cooled
• 
  
  1 small block cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes (I use a nice sharp cheddar)
• 
  
  8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (I use turkey bacon or pancetta if I can find it)
• 
  
  1/2 cup mayonnaise (I use homemade but store bought works fine too)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. 

I hope you enjoy these recipes, they are really wonderful on a nice summer day!

Until next time, happy and HEALTHY cooking and EATING!