Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Start with the potatoes, as they’ll take the longest to cook. One Sunday morning mistake I made early on was timing everything else perfectly while serving nearly raw potatoes—never again!

1. Place diced potatoes in a large microwave-safe bowl.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of water, cover with a plate, and microwave for 5 minutes to partially cook them. (This little trick cuts down on stovetop time considerably.)
3. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
4. Heat olive oil and butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams.
5. Add potatoes in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
6. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
7. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden on the bottom.
8. Flip and continue cooking until crispy outside and tender inside, about 10 minutes total.
9. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and keep warm in a low oven (200°F).

Step 2: Cook the Bratwurst

Now for the star of our bratwurst breakfast show:

1. While potatoes cook, prick bratwursts several times with a fork (this prevents them from bursting).
2. Heat vegetable oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add bratwursts and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until lightly browned.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low, add 1/4 cup water, and cover the pan.
5. Let bratwursts steam for about 5-7 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
6. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

Those browned bits in the pan? Pure gold for flavor:

1. In the same skillet used for bratwurst, add sliced onions and peppers.
2. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelize.
3. Add minced garlic and caraway seeds (if using) and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Prepare the Eggs

The beauty of this bratwurst breakfast is that everyone can have their eggs their way:

1. Cook eggs according to your family’s preferences – we typically do a mix of fried and scrambled at our house.
2. For fried eggs, melt a tablespoon of butter in a non-stick skillet, crack eggs in, and cook to desired doneness.
3. For scrambled, whisk eggs with a splash of milk, salt and pepper, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Time to bring your bratwurst breakfast masterpiece together:

1. Slice bratwursts on a diagonal into bite-sized pieces.
2. Place a generous portion of potato hash on each plate.
3. Top with sliced bratwurst and sautéed vegetables.
4. Add eggs to each plate.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions.
6. Serve with German mustard, hot sauce, and bread on the side.