simple spicy pickles
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    Ok, so i've mentioned these abominations on other threads before. But i never posted a good description of how to make them. I call them an abomination since anyone who knows how to make a pickle will probably freak out and say this is all wrong.. but whatever. These things are easy, taste fantastic and are ready to eat in no time at all.

    Ingredients:
    Cucumbers
    White Distilled Vinegar
    Balsamic Vinegar
    Cholula Hot Sauce
    Salt
    Pepper
    --- insert favorite spices here---
    Water
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    First, Wash and slice the cucumbers. You can slice them bread and butter style or lengthwise, or any other way you want. I've taken to slicing them lengthwise into halves. The thinner you slice them, the faster they are ready to eat and the more intense the flavor is. Thicker slices, like halving lengthwise will take a day or two before the flavor really develops and they still retain a fresh cucumber essence.

    Once sliced, put them into a mason jar or whatever. You generally will want to pack them in pretty good, otherwise you will use up more of the other ingredients than necessary.
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    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    Next fill the jar 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up with Balsamic vinegar. The amounts are pretty arbitrary, but the ratio determines the flavor.

    I actually hit this with a little more Balsamic after the picture was taken.
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    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    Next take it to about 1/2 - 2/3 full with the white vinegar.
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    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    next comes the Cholula hot sauce. you can try other brands, but it will taste terrible and you will be ashamed of your mistake.
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    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    give it a shake (lid on) and taste it. Not hot enough? add more.
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    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    ahhh. there we go. now throw in some salt pepper and whatever else floats your boat until it tastes good.

    The salt should sharpen the flavor. i used about 2 tsp in this sized batch.

    lastly, top off with clean drinking water.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,962
    I love pickles! Moreover, I love easy pickles.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    close it up and stick it in the fridge and turn it over to mix it every day or so. I usually just shake it up each time i got to the fridge.

    in a couple days it will be delicious. I assume it will keep like this for a long time... but i have no idea, since once i start eating them they are usually gone in a couple days.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    CB said:

    I love pickles! Moreover, I love easy pickles.



    this is the 5th batch of these things i've made in a couple months. I really love them.

    You can do a sort of continuous batch where as you eat them, you just throw some new cucumbers in the jar. they will taste just as good as the rest after a day or two.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,777
    when does the chalk come into play?
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    FromZwolle said:

    when does the chalk come into play?


    Its a thickener, makes em the consistency of mashed potatoes if you add enough, also adds nice color too.
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    II'm going to try this, ever use English hot house cucumbers?
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    azscoob said:

    II'm going to try this, ever use English hot house cucumbers?



    I've used a couple different types, american, english and now I'm using these smaller greenhouse grown ones. They all work, but the larger ones need to be cut up a bit more to get the intensity quickly
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    The English hothouse ones are typically fairly thin and nearly seedless
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    azscoob said:

    The English hothouse ones are typically fairly thin and nearly seedless



    That would work well
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Made some a few minutes ago, used hothouse cucumbers, added garlic and fresh dill, used tapatio instead of cholula, very similar flavor wise, I wouldn't use crystal, red hot, or tobasco, not enough depth of flavor, gonna try one tomorrow night and post thoughts and make adjustments.
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,962
    azscoob said:

    Made some a few minutes ago, used hothouse cucumbers, added garlic and fresh dill, used tapatio instead of cholula, very similar flavor wise, I wouldn't use crystal, red hot, or tobasco, not enough depth of flavor, gonna try one tomorrow night and post thoughts and make adjustments.



    Oh garlic and dill seems like a nice touch.
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    CB said:

    azscoob said:

    Made some a few minutes ago, used hothouse cucumbers, added garlic and fresh dill, used tapatio instead of cholula, very similar flavor wise, I wouldn't use crystal, red hot, or tobasco, not enough depth of flavor, gonna try one tomorrow night and post thoughts and make adjustments.



    Oh garlic and dill seems like a nice touch.


    i actually added a heaping tablespoon of minced garlic to my batch today. i wouldn't think to try dill in this recipe.

    and i stand by my cholula statement. tapatio is good... but cholula it aint.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    oh, and here's what they look like after they are good and tasty.

    IMG-20121014-00065.jpg
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    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    dang, now i want to go get a couple and eat them.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    its amazing how quickly they picked up the garlic flavor. fan-freakin-tastic.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Yum!

    I love dill, so in it went. Worst case I'm out a dollar and change for cucumbers.
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    azscoob said:

    Yum!

    I love dill, so in it went. Worst case I'm out a dollar and change for cucumbers.



    yeah, the cool thing about this recipe is it's really cheap and allows you to experiment a lot. you should bring an example of your creation next week. pickle swap?
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Ok, I'm down for that!
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    Pickle swap it is!
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    azscoob said:

    Pickle swap it is!



    yay!
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • scoobscoob
    Posts: 16,617
    I'm making more then, so I have a variety to bring. Might make some inferno hot ones.
    Jesus didn't wear pants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    azscoob said:

    I'm making more then, so I have a variety to bring. Might make some inferno hot ones.



    nice. i'll see if i can pull together another batch or two as well
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
  • FuzzyFuzzy
    Posts: 49,777
    azscoob said:

    Pickle swap it is!



    ~:>
    The pinnacle of lame and awesome in one singular moment. -Lake
  • C_BC_B
    Posts: 88,962
    azscoob said:

    Pickle swap it is!



    Ha!
    "On it. I hate software." ~Cpt Snarklepants
  • ThymThym
    Posts: 122,569
    CB said:

    azscoob said:

    Pickle swap it is!



    Ha!


    You know you want in.
    The only thing between me and a train wreck is blind luck..... - Kenny
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