Happy Birthday Dad!!

My Dad's birthday was this week :)  It was his last year in the 50's.....next year the big 60!!  He loves German food so I used that as the basis for his birthday dinner.  We then went out with family over this weekend to an authentic German restaurant, really great food.....and really LARGE beers.  I personally feel sorry for my mom as she had to ride home with my father in his drunken state....but then again I had to drive my husband who also indulged in the giant beers :)  Even though we may be banned from this delightful restaurant good times were had by all!!  I love my family :)


Beer Braised Sausages with Red Potatoes

2 tablespoons olive-oil
1 1/2 pounds italian sausage
1 medium onion, sliced thin

12 ounces pale ale

1 1/2 pounds red skin potatoes, cut in half
salt and pepper
parsley (optional)

In large pot heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add sausages and brown on all sides.  About 5-10 minutes.  Add onion and cook until soft, 5 minutes.  Add beer, potatoes and 2 cups of water.  Season with salt and pepper.  Make sure potatoes are submerged in liquid.

Bring to a boil.  Cover and reduce to med-low.  Cook until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Remove sausages and potatoes and place on platter with foil, keep cooking liquid in pot.  Bring liquids in pot to a boil and cook down for about 10-15 minutes.  Liquid will thicken and reduce to about one cup.  Remove foil from platter and cover with sauce, sprinkle with parsley, serve!!

Swiss Chard Pie

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped

4 minced cloves garlic

2-3 pounds swiss chard, cut stems into 1/2 inch pieces and chop leaves
salt and pepper
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
3 tablespoons flour
homemade or store bought double crust (not frozen)

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

In large pot place olive oil and garlic.  Turn heat to medium high.  Saute until fragrant about 2-3 minutes.  Add chopped onion and cook until begins to soften about 1-2 minutes.  Add chopped swiss chard stems and continue to cook for another 5 minutes until stems begin to soften.

Add chopped leaves into pot sprinkle with salt and pepper.  You will have to force them in....they will cook down!!  Reduce heat to medium and cover.  Leaves will wilt down in about 5 minutes.  Uncover and stir, cook for another 5 minutes. 

Place mixture in large bowl and add swiss cheese and flour.  Set aside.

In a 8-9 inch cake pan place one round of pie dough.  Push into pan so that dough covers bottom and sides of cake pan, it will hang over the sides as well!  Place mixture into crust.  Place top crust on and fold over to create a seal with bottom crust.  Cut four slits in center of pie.  Bake for 40-45 minutes!


Black Forest Cake

*I cannot find the recipe!!!!  As soon as I do I will post it!!  But here is the picture anyways!!*