Cheaters Pickles Recipes

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.

FRIED CHEESY PICKLES

Steps:

• Pour 2 inches oil into a large pot and heat to 360 degrees F. Line a plate with a paper towel.
• Stir together the ranch dressing and sriracha to taste in a bowl. Set aside.
• Drain the pickles and use a paper towel to pat off any excess moisture (I like to save the brine and use it again!). Wrap each pickle in a slice of cheese, then fold and roll the cheese-wrapped pickle in an egg roll wrapper. Fold up the left side, then the right and roll up tightly like a burrito, using a bit of water on your finger to seal the sides.
• Working in batches to not overcrowd the pot, fry the pickles until golden brown and crispy on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the lined plate to drain and cool slightly. Slice in half crosswise and serve with the Sriracha ranch.

QUICK PICKLES

Steps:

• Slice cucumbers 1/8-inch thick using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Toss with the sugar and salt and leave in a colander to drain for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse well and drain.
• In a bowl, toss cucumbers with the vinegar, tasting and adding more as desired. Store in a container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

EASY PICKLES

Steps:

• In a nonreactive stockpot over medium-high heat, bring the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns and bay leaf (and chile flakes, if using) to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the cucumbers (or pineapple), then remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until serving. Drain before serving. (Pickles keep, refrigerated, about 2 weeks.)

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.

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.