chicken apple sausage hoagies with carmelized onions

this is one of my hubby's favorite dishes. lucky for me it's super easy and delish.

ingredients

4 chicken apple sausages {i use lou's famous from whole foods. it's skinless and yummy.}
2 medium yellow onions sliced thinly
4 oz. dark beer
4 crusty hoagie rolls or sliced crusty bread {the crustier the better}
3 tablespoons butter {divided}
4 sprigs fresh thyme
4 slices cheese {optional}
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoon bourbon {optional}

instructions

heat medium skillet over low heat for 30 seconds.
melt 2 tbsp. butter, add onions and brown sugar.
cook, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes until onions are partially browned.
season with salt & pepper.
add sprigs of thyme.
add sausages. you can do them whole or if they are already cooked, you can slice them up. cook, stirring occasionally until browned, about 15 minutes.
add chopped garlic and cook until you can smell it, about 2 minutes.
add beer; reduce heat and cook covered for about 15 minutes. *if you don't have any beer on hand you can use apple cider or juice. it changes the flavor, but it's still pretty good.
remove pan from heat and stir in remaining butter and bourbon. *if you are serving the kiddos, you can boil a bit longer to burn off the booze.
remove the thyme sprigs.
serve on your crusty bread with a slice of cheese.
try not to make too much of a mess of yourself, serve with lots of napkins. enjoy!