Pickled Brains Recipes

ALL-PURPOSE, FOOLPROOF PICKLE BRINE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a simmer over medium heat with the vinegar, sugar, salt, coriander, allspice, bay leaf, cinnamon and garlic. Take off the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Pour the warm liquid over the vegetables or fruit and let it cool at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate. Store, covered, in the refrigerator, for 2 to 3 weeks.

PICKLED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Pack beans into 4 hot 1-pint jars to within 1/2 in. of the top. Add cayenne, garlic and dill seed to jars., In a large saucepan, bring water, vinegar and salt to a boil., Carefully ladle hot liquid over beans, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

PICKLED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Cut green beans to fit inside pint canning jars.
• Place green beans in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, for 3 minutes. Plunge beans into ice water. Drain well.
• Pack the beans into four hot, sterilized pint jars. Place 1 clove garlic and 2 sprigs dill weed in each jar, against the glass. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to each jar.
• In a large saucepan over high heat, bring vinegar and water to a boil. Pour over beans.
• Fit the jars with lids and rings and process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

CRISP PICKLED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Sterilize 6 (1/2 pint) jars with rings and lids and keep hot. Trim green beans to 1/4 inch shorter than your jars.
• In a large saucepan, stir together the vinegar, water and salt. Add garlic and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. In each jar, place 1 sprig of dill and 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Pack green beans into the jars so they are standing on their ends.
• Ladle the boiling brine into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the tops. Discard garlic. Seal jars with lids and rings. Place in a hot water bath so they are covered by 1 inch of water. Simmer but do not boil for 10 minutes to process. Cool to room temperature. Test jars for a good seal by pressing on the center of the lid. It should not move. Refrigerate any jars that do not seal properly. Let pickles ferment for 2 to 3 weeks before eating.

SPICY PICKLED GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Arrange green beans and garlic in clean glass jars. In a saucepan, bring vinegar, salt, peppercorns, sugar, and chiles to a boil. Carefully pour mixture into jars, secure lids, and let cool to room temperature.

PICKLED BRAINS

Steps:

• Place cauliflower in a large glass heatproof jar or canister, positioning florets against the glass; set aside.
• Fill a large pot with 8 cups water. Add both vinegars, sugar, salt, peppercorns, mustard seeds, and onions. Bring to a boil.
• Carefully pour boiling liquid over cauliflower; let cool to room temperature. Cover and transfer to refrigerator. Let chill overnight or up to 1 week.