Blue Ribbon Dill Pickles Recipes

Steps:

• GET ALL OF THIS GOING BEFORE FILLING THE JARS.
• Wash 7 quart jars in hot, soapy water (or dishwasher), rinse and fill with hot water; set aside.
• Fill canning kettle half-full with hottest tap water; set on burner over high heat.
• In a medium saucepan, fit lids and rings together, cover with water, bring to a simmer.
• In a large saucepan, bring water, vinegar and salt to boil; turn off the heat; set aside.
• FILL JARS: place a layer of dill at the bottom of each jar, along with one garlic clove (if used), then TIGHTLY load the cukes into the jar to the NECK of the jar (depending on size you may get two nice layers with a few small cukes in the top--)---squeeze cukes into the jar tightly--uniform size helps; add a few TINY spriglets of dill at the top, too, and another garlic clove if desired.
• Once jars are loaded, pour in the brine leaving half-inch head space in each jar.
• Add lid and ring to each jar, tightening evenly.
• Place jars into canner with water JUST to the necks of the jars.
• Bring water ALMOST to a boil (about 15 minutes--depending on how fast it heats up).
• Remove jars, set on a dish towel on the kitchen counter, cover with another dish towel & let cool.
• Check for seal (indented lid), label jars or lids, store in cool dark cellar or cupboard.
• NOTES: When washing/scrubbing cukes, sort them into piles by size. This really helps make your jars look nicer, if you have uniform sizes (and this impresses the judges too!). And makes for easier packing, too.

Steps:

• Combine the salt and water in a pitcher and stir until the salt has dissolved.
• Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly and snip off the blossom end stem. Set aside.
• Place the peppercorns, pepper flakes, garlic, dill seed and fresh dill into a 1-gallon crock. Add the cucumbers to the crock on top of the aromatics. Pour the brine mixture over the cucumbers in order to completely cover. Pour the remaining water into a 1-gallon ziptop plastic bag and seal. Place the bag on top of the pickles making sure that all of them are completely submerged in the brine. Set in a cool, dry place.
• Check the crock after 3 days. Fermentation has begun if you see bubbles rising to the top of the crock. After this, check the crock daily and skim off any scum that forms. If scum forms on the plastic bag, rinse it off and return to the top of the crock.
• The fermentation is complete when the pickles taste sour and the bubbles have stopped rising; this should take approximately 6 to 7 days. Once this happens, cover the crock loosely and place in the refrigerator for 3 days, skimming daily or as needed. Store for up to 2 months in the refrigerator, skimming as needed. If the pickles should become soft or begin to take on an off odor, this is a sign of spoilage and they should be discarded.

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice and add cucumbers. Let chill for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, in the refrigerator.
• Fill a medium nonreactive saucepan with 4 cups water. Add vinegar and salt; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until salt is dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let mixture cool to room temperature.
• Drain cucumbers and place in a large bowl. Add garlic, dill, mustard seeds, and bay leaf. Pour water mixture over cucumbers and place a plate or other heavy object over cucumbers to weight down. Cucumbers should be completely submerged; add more water if necessary. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 3 to 4 days before using. Transfer to refrigerator; pickles will keep for up to 1 week.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, onion juice and grated onion.
• Spread the mixture thinly on the white bread slices. Roll 1 baby dill pickle in each slice of bread. Place in a medium glass baking dish with the seam side down. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight.
• To serve, slice each bread roll into 1 inch slices.

Steps:

• GET ALL OF THIS GOING BEFORE FILLING THE JARS. Wash 7 quart jars in hot, soapy water (or dishwasher), rinse and fill with hot water; set aside. Fill canning kettle half-full with hottest tap water; set on burner over high heat. In a medium saucepan, fit lids and rings together, cover with water, bring to a simmer. In a large saucepan, bring water, vinegar and salt to boil; turn off the heat; set aside. FILL JARS: place a layer of dill at the bottom of each jar, along with one garlic clove (if used), then TIGHTLY load the cukes into the jar to the NECK of the jar (depending on size you may get two nice layers with a few small cukes in the top--)---squeeze cukes into the jar tightly--uniform size helps; add a few TINY spriglets of dill at the top, too, and another garlic clove if desired. Once jars are loaded, pour in the brine leaving half-inch head space in each jar. Add lid and ring to each jar, tightening evenly. Place jars into canner with water JUST to the necks of the jars. Bring water ALMOST to a boil (about 15 minutes--depending on how fast it heats up). Remove jars, set on a dish towel on the kitchen counter, cover with another dish towel & let cool. Check for seal (indented lid), label jars or lids, store in cool dark cellar or cupboard. NOTES: When washing/scrubbing cukes, sort them into piles by size. This helps in filling the jars evenly.

Steps:

• Soak the cucumbers in ice cold water for 2 to 3 hours.
• Sterilize 5 (1 quart) jars with lids and rings and keep hot.
• In a large pot, combine the water, vinegar, sugar and pickling spices. Stir to dissolve sugar and bring to a boil.
• While the mixture is heating up, place the following things into each jar: 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 strips of horseradish, and a few sprigs of dill. Trim the ends from the cucumbers and make a slit in the skin of each one so the brine can soak in and any air can get out. Pack the cucumbers into the jars. Pour the boiling brine into the jars to within 1/2 inch of the rims. Seal with lids and rings.
• Bring the water to a boil in the pot where you sterilized the jars. Place the jars into the water and turn off the heat. Let them sit in there until the water is cool. Test the jars for a good seal by pressing on the center of the lid. Refrigerate any unsealed jars.