Pickling Liquid Recipes

EASY HOMEMADE PICKLE

Steps:

• Cut or slice up the veg into fine or chunky pieces, depending on what you're looking for. I quite like purposely cutting each veg differently - some diced, some into erratic chunks, some sliced delicately and some more thickly.
• Place all the veg in a sterilised airtight jar, add 125ml of water, along with the vinegar, salt, sugar and herbs and spices, if using. Close the lid and give it a good shake.
• Keep in the fridge for up to 8 weeks, or you can absolutely use it right away - it will start off tasting quite sharp and crunchy, then relax into itself over a period of a few weeks. This pickle is brilliant in sandwiches and salads, on a cheese board, or as a side to curries and stir-fries.

HOMEMADE CLAUSSEN PICKLES COPYCAT

Steps:

• To make the brine, combine water and vinegar in a large pitcher. Add salt, coriander seed, mustard seed, red pepper flakes and black peppercorns. Stir until salt is dissolved. Set aside.
• Wash cucumbers in water and trim 1/8-inch off of the blossom end of each one. Slice each cucumber in half lengthwise.
• Divide the dill seed and dried garlic evenly between two clean quart sized jars. Fill jars with cucumber halves, fitting as many in as you can, they may be snug!
• Stir brine again to mix ingredients. Place a fine mesh colander over a large bowl or measuring cup. Pour brine through the colander, catching the brine solids in the colander. DO NOT discard!
• NOTE: You will not be able to fit all the water in this measuring cup or in the two jars. The goal here is to save the brine solids and use them, you will be discarding the left over vinegar and water mixture when finished.
• Once all the solids have been removed from the brine, distribute them evenly among the jars. Using the brine liquid in the measuring cup, pour into the jars until all the cucumbers are covered.
• Your brine level should cover your cucumbers and reach the bottom of the jar neck where the twisting begins. The cucumbers will also release some liquid as they brine, so don't overfill the jar. Discard any remaining brine liquid.
• Cover lightly with a lid perched on top but DO NOT close and seal. Leave on the counter (out of direct sunlight) for 1 day, then move to the refrigerator for 2-3 more days, or until the cucumbers taste like pickles throughout.
• Secure lids on jars and refrigerate for up to six months.

VEGETABLE PICKLING LIQUID

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients with 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

PICKLING LIQUID

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in a nonreactive saucepan, over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely. Strain the liquid and store in an airtight container.

BASIC PICKLE BRINE

Steps:

• Stir together 1 cup water and all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool 10 minutes. Pour over vegetables or fruits. Cover with a tight-fitting lid; chill 2 days. Store, covered, in refrigerator up to 2 months.

PICKLING JUICE

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat, allowing the sugar and salt to dissolve. Cool and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Use immediately, or refrigerate for up to 1 month.