Thursday, December 30, 2010

dill pickles

made my 1st attempt at dills in the fall
overall not bad...but i like a more 'briney' liquid
so next time a few changes
the recipe i found in canadian living cookbook
it was easy and simple
clean and pure
good quality food made simple is my fav

4lbs of small cucs (5-8cm)
6 cups water
2 cups white vinegar
1/4 cup salt
2 cloves of garlic and 2 large springs of dill for each jar

a. wash cucs well
b. bring water, salt and vinegar to boil
c. in hot/clean and sterilized jars* add 2 cloves of garlic and sprays of dill and pickels
d. fill jars with boiling liquid, leaving 3mm space at top
Optional...boil jars in water bath for 15 mins...i did this step...it will soften the pickles a little
e. seal with hot/clean and sterilized lids
f. leave to rest on counter over nite, checking for seal 'suck' in the morn...refrigerate any unsealed jars
g. allow to 'pickle' for 4-6 weeks
*i used 12 x 500 ml jars and two 1 lt jars...the little jars are good for gifts...but i like the larger jars for capacity

sterilizing jars 101(canadian living)
+wash jar in hot and soapy water
+place jars on baking sheet, with all tools in 225F over for 15 mins
+place lids and screw tops in boiling water for 5 mins
+optional...boil jars in water bath for 15 mins