perfect tasting pickles

Growing up my grandma made delicious tasting pickles using her home grown cucumbers and ever since then, I’ve been a bit of pickle snob.  I buy all of my dills in the refrigerated section at the grocery store and also love a local fav, Perkins Pickles.  So when we got this book in, I thought why not give it a whirl myself?

Here’s what you need:

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup pickling salt

3-4 medium cucumbers

4-5 sprigs of fresh dill

1 T pickling spice

3 cloves garlic halved

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 5 1/2 cups of water, both vinegars and salt.  Bring to a boil, stirring several times; boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Cut up your cucumbers however you wish.  Place half of dill sprigs in a large bowl or 5 quart ice cream pail.  Add cut cucumbers, pickling spice, garlic and remaining dill sprigs.  Pour cool vinegar mixture over cucumbers & set plate on top to keep cucumbers submerged.

Cover and let stand at room temperature for 24 hours stirring once or twice, if desired.  Place bowl in refrigerator to store pickles for up to one month.  This same recipe can also be used to soak whole baby cucumbers too.

Oh yes indeed… these turned out really tasty, plus they were so easy to make! I sliced mine so they could be used on sandwiches & burgers or just eaten as a side dish.  I have no doubts you would be the hit of the party if you brought these homemade dills to a summer bbq.

For more simple recipes that you can make in minutes, check out this great book.