Fervent Foodie

It’s cookout season–and any excuse to celebrate gets my vote!  Brats are the perfect backyard barbecue food; they’re easy to cook and super simple to customize, just by switching up your relish and toppings.

I spent the morning hanging out with WBTV talking Bratsgiving!  Check out the video below!

Without further ado, here are three brat relish recipes inspired by some of my favorite foods:  banh mi, bruschetta, and guacamole!

Banh Mi Brat Relish

Do Chua (Pickled Carrots & Daikon)
1/2 pound large carrots
1/2 pound daikon radish
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1.5 cups distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
Water

Chipotle Mayo:  1/2 cup mayonnaise + chipotles in adobo sauce + 1 squirt of lime

Garnish:  1 jalapeno, finely chopped + chopped cilantro

Do Chua:  cut the carrots and daikon radish into thin matchsticks, then place in a large bowl.  Add 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar.  Using your fingers, massage the salt and sugar into the vegetables for 3 minutes.  Rinse and drain.  Place vegetables in a 1-quart glass jar, add vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, and water to fill the remaining space in the jar.  Cover the jar and shake vigorously to dissolve the sugar.  Let sit in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Chipotle Mayonnaise:  in a food processor, puree the mayonnaise, 1 chipotle pepper, 2 tbsp adobo sauce, and 1 squirt of lime juice until smooth.  (Remaining chipotle peppers and adobo sauce can be frozen for later use.)

To serve:  slather chipotle mayonnaise on the bun, add a brat, then top with Do Chua, fresh cilantro, and chopped jalapeno.

Bruschetta Relish

1.5 cups Roma tomatoes, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes in oil, chopped
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Combine all ingredients, except cheese, in a bowl.  To serve, place brat on bun, top with bruschetta and freshly grated Parmesan, if desired.

Avocado Relish

2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/3 cup red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup pickled jalapenos, chopped
1 lime
1 large ripe avocado, cubed

Combine cilantro, red onion, garlic, salt, pickled jalapenos, and juice of half a lime in a bowl.  Add avocado, and stir gently, taking care not to mash the avocado.   To serve, place brat on bun, top with avocado relish and additional lime and cilantro, if desired.