Cheater Sweet Pickles And Peños Food

CHEATER'S PICKLES

Steps:

• Cut off the ends of the cucumbers and use the tines of a fork to draw long stripes down their lengths. Slice the cucumbers like bread-and-butter pickles, about 1/8-inch thick, and pile them into a large shallow bowl. Sprinkle the sugar over the cucumbers and stir in well. Scatter the ice cubes over the slices and cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap. Chill in the freezer for 1/2 hour.
• Drain the cucumbers in a colander and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Put the cucumbers back in the bowl, sprinkle the vinegar over them evenly, and stir well. Add the salt and pepper, if using, and stir well to combine. Toss in the herbs and the onions, if using. Refrigerate until ready to serve. They will still be good the next day, though not quite as crisp.

EMERIL'S HOMEMADE SWEET AND SPICY PICKLES

Steps:

• Place cucumbers, onions, pickling salt, and water in a large, non-reactive bowl. Cover and allow cucumbers to soak for 2 hours. Drain the water from the onions and cucumbers through a colander and rinse well for 5 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
• Combine the vinegars, sugar, mustard seeds, turmeric, cloves, garlic, and peppers in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and add the cucumbers and onions. Bring to a simmer and remove the saucepan from the heat.
• Fill each of the hot sterilized pint-size preserving jars with the pickle mixture, dividing them evenly, and enough of the liquid to come within 1/2-inch of the top. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Natural Pickle Crisp to each jar, if desired. With a clean damp towel, wipe the rim and fit with a hot lid. Screw on the metal ring just until the point of resistance is met. Process the jars in a hot-water bath for 15 minutes.
• Using tongs, remove the jars, place on a towel, and let cool. Test the seals by allowing the jars to stand at room temperature overnight or until the lids pop. Tighten the rings and store in a cool dry place. Let the pickles age for at least 2 weeks before using.

PICKLED JALAPENOS

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and garlic in a pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Remove pickling liquid from heat.
• Stir jalapeno peppers into the pot. Let stand until slightly cooled, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer jalapeno peppers to a large Mason jar; pour in pickling liquid to cover. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate.

COWBOY CANDY (SWEET PICKLED JALAPENOS)

Steps:

• 1. Slice jalapenos. Wear gloves and don't touch your eyes or other sensitive body parts!
• 2. NOTE: if you want them less spicy, place the sliced jalapenos in a large bowl of water and let the seeds float to the top. Pour off the seeds and drain well before proceeding.
• 3. In a medium saucepan, combine cider vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery and mustard seeds, garlic, and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Reduce the liquid for 5 minutes.
• 4. Add jalapenos to the syrup and simmer for 5 minutes more.
• 5. Remove jalapenos from liquid with a slotted spoon into a bowl Pack the jalapenos into 2 one-pint sterilized canning jars using a spoon, or a small spatula to press them into the jars. Add liquid filling the jars leaving a 1/4 inch head-space.
• 6. Process in a water bath for 15 minutes.

CHEATER* PICKLES

Steps:

• Slice cucumbers.
• Place slices into jar of commercially prepared pickle brine, filling the jar just until all cucumbers are covered by the liquid.
• Replace lid and refrigerate.
• Wait at least 4 hours to serve. (These are actually better after 3 or 4 days).
• Keeps in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

QUICK SWEET-AND-SOUR PICKLE SPEARS

Steps:

• Fit the cucumbers, dill and garlic into a 1-quart Mason jar. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Pour the hot mixture into the jar with the cucumbers and let cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight. The pickles will keep, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.

CHEATER SWEET PICKLES AND PEñOS

Steps:

• SLICE the pickles 1/4 inch thick.
• COMBINE the pickles with all the remaining ingredients in a large nonaluminum (stainless steel, glass, or ceramic) mixing bowl.
• COVER the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
• PACK the pickles in clean half-pint decorative jars. Seal the jars and keep refrigerated. The pickles will keep in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 months.

SWEET PICKLE SPEARS

Steps:

• slice ends from cucumbers and cut into spears.
• Cover cucumbers with boiling water; let stand 2 hours.
• Drain and pack into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Bring remaining ingredients to a boil.
• Pour hot liquid over cucumbers, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Remove air bubbles.
• Adjust caps.
• Process l0 minutes in boiling water bath.