Why do weekends have to go by so fast? Seems like I just get into the groove of getting stuff done, and in the blink of an eye, its another work week.
I did have a great weekend though! Tony and I went out to dinner Friday night, and while it was a crappy day, it was a perfect day to be bizzy in my kitchen. One fatal flaw though – I made the three hour baguette bread again, only I forgot to add the salt. 
They looked pretty but the taste and texture was off – luckily I have a friend who is on a low sodium diet, so I dropped the bread off at her house yesterday.
One of the dishes I am making for me and my SIL this week is The Sandwich King’s turkey burgers with homemade pickles. Why I have never thought of making my own pickles before is beyond me – I especially love dill pickles. The only thing I changed from the original recipe is that I used regular distilled vinegar instead of champagne vinegar and I actually have pickling spices from Williams & Sonoma – I am ignoring the fact that these were supposed to be used up by December 2011!
First I put my cut cucumber and dill in my jars:
Then I needed to pour the hot vinegar mixture into the jar – I had twice as much vinegar for the one cucumber that I used – but I had another idea for the rest of the vinegar you’ll see later on.
It was kind of hard to hold the camera, pour the hot vinegar mixture in and not burn myself or drop the pot. I didn’t realize until I’d filled up the jar that some of my seasonings kinda bunched up at the top.
No worries! A quick shimmy of the jar and the seasonings disbursed nicely.
Then just top them off with a lid – let come to room temperature and refrigerate 24 hours.
These were delicious! They were crisp and perfectly dilly – not even sure that is a word, but I am sticking with it. 
With the rest of the vinegar brine, I chopped up some jalapenos and radishes. It looks so pretty!
I did the same thing – let them come to room temperature and then refrigerated them. The next day, the radishes turned the brine pink!
I also deep cleaned our bedroom closet (its been years since I did a full clean out people!) and got all our laundry done – not only washed, but dried, folded AND put away. That never happens!
Hope you all had a great weekend – off to do my 30 minute stretch – I haven’t done it since Friday and my heel is telling me so!
Make it a great day!
I’m a pickle addict and have no idea why I’ve never even considered making homemade pickles. My grandmother used to make them all the time when I growing up- and I’d sit and eat a whole jar of them!
Reading your posts always reminds me that I need to watch the Sandwich King more. Love that guy- and I was totally rooting for him the whole way when he was on Next Food Network Star. 🙂
Mmmm pickles! Laundry never gets done all the way here either- it is a cold day in you know where when it finally does!! Your bread loaves are looking so good- I miss bread!! Hubby was gone for the last 10 days so I am now catching up on my blog reading, way to go Hannah on the scholarship and acceptance- that is great!
The pickles look good although I never really eat food like that. But I did read a new cook book this week in which the writer (Annabel Langbein) makes a lot of dressing, salsa’s and so on herself en I said to myself I want to make those more myself. I think it will taste much better than the stuff I buy.
Yum, I LOVE pickles but haven’t made any good ones at home yet. Need to get some pickling spices or a mix b/c using what I had didn’t work. Yours look great!
I never thought of using a radishes. How fun!
Oh my, but those pickles look delicious. I’m going to have to give them a try!
I love making refrigerator pickles!! I usually use pickling cucumbers and banana peppers. But I’m totally going to have to try your radish idea– mmm!
I love pickles, my husband and I make them every year! Too bad about your bread, at least you found it a home! 🙂
I use those ‘use by dates’ as just a suggestion 🙂 The pickles look awesome. I made some pickled onions a while back and really need to make some more pickled veggies. I love the red brine from the radishes!
I’ve always wanted to try making my own pickles. It looks like such fun!
I love making my own pickles, so much better than store-bought. As soon as I seen the first radish picture I knew what it would look like the next day because I’ve done that before. Try pickled cauliflower too…yummo!
Yeah, bread without salt is no fun, I’ve made that mistake too … I love making pickles! It is super easy and tasty! I’ve made these triple dill pickles that are oh so good! I just love all kinds of pickles! 🙂 Hope you have a great day!
Not only have I done that before, but at least half a dozen times I’ve completely forgotten to put sugar in muffins. No joke 😀
I love how many things you DIY. I’m getting better – I make my own pizza crust, tomato sauce, and ice cream. I’d like to try yogurt soon!
I remember my Mom making homemade yogurt – I remember it had to be plugged in for a long time – I think she used it once and put it away. And I believe it wasn’t too long after that, that she requested no more kitchen appliances as gifts! 😀
I’ve heard you can do it in a crockpot – I definitely wouldn’t buy something special for it!
My husband loves making homemade pickles! He makes them with zucchini, though!
Zucchini pickles?? Okay, I am going to have to try that one tonight!
SO cool! I am a pickle fanatic. I’ve never tried making my own either. Bummer about the bread- but glad it went to good use
Those homemade pickles look so good, what a fun cooking project and tasty too!!!
I’ve never made pickles, how fun!
I had no idea that cucumbers could turn to pickles so fast! Looks so yummy, and how very Biz-like of you to use up the rest of the brine by pickling jalapenos!
Cleaning must have been in the air yesterday – I mucked out my bathroom drawers and cabinet. Feels great to have everything organized, right? Nice going with getting all your laundry done, too!
My SIL sent me an email that said “my family loved, loved, loved the pickles!” And I brought the radish and jalapenos to work today for my co-worker who loves all things spicy like me and declared them delicious! I couldn’t agree more – so simple!
I know, why have we waited so long to make pickles? Yours turned out great!
Going to have to try those pickles.
Come clean out my closets please! I need to make room for this baby. 2BR, 1 BA house no garage!!