The Perfect Pickle Recipes

PERFECT PICKLED ONIONS

Steps:

• Cut onions into very thin slices; place in two 1-quart glass jars or one large bowl, packing them tightly together. Add garlic cloves, jalapeno slices, bay leaves, and pepper flakes.
• Combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and peppercorns in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often until sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes.
• Pour warm liquid over the onions and press down if necessary to submerge. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

THE PERFECT PICKLE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1 cup water, vinegar, sugar and salt; bring to a boil. Stir until sugar and salt dissolve, about 2 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
• Divide cucumber spears, garlic and peppercorns between two sterilized pint-sized canning jars. Stuff a dill seed head into the center of each jar. Pour cooled vinegar mixture over jar contents to cover. Screw lids onto jars and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before using. Keeps, refrigerated, for up to 1 year.