We are big fans of Fenway Franks in this house (and at the ballpark!), so when Kayem offered to send me a Box O' Meat, it was a no-brainer. Kayem not only makes Fenway Franks (the official franks of the Boston Red Sox) and the official franks and sausages of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium but is a local company, with corporate offices and manufacturing plants in Chelsea and Woburn.
The Box O' Meat contained Polska Kielbasa, Patriots Bun Size Beef Franks, Old Tyme Beef Franks, and Kayem Minis Beef Cocktail Franks plus everything I needed to make Bavarian Pretzel Sliders with Kayem Minis (sauerkraut, Jarlsberg cheese, pretzel rolls, and Dijon mustard).
For the sliders, each pretzel roll gets a generous slathering of mustard, a pile of sauerkraut, two mini franks, and some Jarlsberg cheese. Then they get popped under the broiler so the cheese gets all melty. The combination makes for a great Sunday snack -- just the thing to eat while watching football (the RedZone channel is on all day here). I thought this was a fun way to enjoy some franks without firing up the grill or braving the cold temperatures outside.
Bavarian Pretzel Sliders With Kayem Minis
(recipe adapted from Kayem)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders
Ingredients
24 Kayem Minis Beef Cocktail Franks
2½ tablespoons unsalted butter
1½ cups low-sodium sauerkraut
¼ cup white wine (optional)
4 ounces Jarlsberg Cheese, thinly sliced and cut into 1½-inch square pieces
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
12 soft pretzel mini buns, sliced in half
Pretzel salt
Preparation
Preheat the broiler. Melt ½ tablespoon of butter in a small sauté pan and lightly brown the mini franks over medium heat. In a separate pan, heat the sauerkraut (with the wine, if using).
Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1½ tablespoons butter and brush the tops and bottoms of the pretzel buns with it. Sprinkle the tops with salt. Place the rolls on a baking sheet and lightly brown them under the broiler. Note: Watch carefully so they don't burn.
To assemble the sliders, brush the pretzel bottoms with mustard. Top with sauerkraut, 2 minis each, and a slice of cheese. Place the sliders under the broiler, allowing the cheese to melt and bubble. Finish with the pretzel bun tops and serve immediately!
What would you make with these mini franks?
Kayem sent me some of their products, but all opinions are my own.