Beer and Brat Stew

This is a delicious stew that helps chase the winter chills away. IT makes a lot, so plan on eating it for a few days. This recipe was inspired by one found on Foodnetwork.com by Emeril Lagasse.

Ingredients

3 (12 oz) bottles of dark beer
1 package (12oz or more) of Andouille sausage
1 package (12oz or more) of turkey bratwurst (you choose the flavor. I've used both smoked and hot and spicy before)
5 slices of turkey bacon
3 cups of yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 can of reduced sodium, 99% fat free chicken broth
1 1/2 lbs small red potatoes cut in halves and quarters
3 large carrots peeled and cut into disks
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
3/4 tsp slat
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Directions

-- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
-- pour two bottles of bear in a medium Dutch oven and bring to a boil
-- Peirce the sausage and brats and add to the beer. Turn the heat down and simmer 10 minutes
-- Remove sausage and cool slightly
-- Reserve the sausage-liquid in a bowl and set aside
-- Slice the sausage into disks once they are cooled
-- Add the bacon to the pan and cook over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set on paper towels to drain.
-- Add the brat to the bacon drippings in the pan and cook 2-3 minutes.
-- Add the onions to the pan and cook 5 minutes or so
-- Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds or so
-- Add the remaining sausage-liquid, beer, chicken broth, potatoes, carrots, and seasonings. Bring to a boil and cover.
-- Place the Dutch oven in the oven and back for 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and thyme and serve.

Nutritional Information
Bases on 12 hearty portions, each portion contains 256 calories, 9 grams of fat, 13.9 grams of protein, and 1.7 grams of fiber