Sweet onion kielbasa will add zip to a pregame party

Honey, spicy mustard and beer give this dinner a kick. ~ The Associated Press

Sweet onion kielbasa is a dish that would make a super appetizer for a game-watching party, and it's a zip to cook, ready to serve in about half an hour.

The recipe is an original created by Kevin Kehler of Neshanic Station, N.J., a massage therapist and football fan who's a die-hard supporter of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His dish, a straightforward but winning combination of sweet onions and kielbasa sauced with honey, spicy mustard and beer may well start diners cheering before the game gets going and long after.

Kehler's recipe won first prize in a national recipe contest with a barbecue-tailgating theme, sponsored by the National Honey Board.

Sweet Onion Kielbasa

(Preparation 5 minutes, cooking time 25 minutes)

1 pound kielbasa sausage

1 small onion, chopped

2 tablespoons butter

1 (12-ounce) can beer (darker beer gives more flavor)

1/3 cup honey

2 or 3 tablespoons spicy, brown or Dijon mustard

Pepper and/or chili powder (or favorite spices), to taste

Slice kielbasa into 1/2-inch medallions. Saute onion in butter until onions are transparent. In a large skillet, bring 1/2 can of beer to a slow boil and add kielbasa. Cook until the beer is reduced by half, then add the remaining 1/2 can of beer. Add honey and mustard, and spices to taste. Let simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce reaches a thick, honey-like consistency.

Onions may be mixed into the finished sauce, or added to top as garnish.

Makes 4 to 6 appetizer servings.