Basic Pickles

Take 15 - 20 minutes to make these today. Eat them tomorrow.

Tools

1. An 8 oz clean glass jar (or two) would be best
2. A clean lid for your 8oz jar

BASIC INGREDIENTS

• 1-2 cucumbers chopped
• 1 1/4 cups of organic apple cider vinegar (or other vinegar)
• 3/4 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of kosher salt
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• OPTIONAL SPICES
  • 1 - 2 teaspoons of black peppercorns
  • 1 Tablespoon of mustard seeds
  • Sliced Hot peppers (if you want a kick)
  • Sliced Garlic (1 clove or less)
  • This list could go on for days...

INSTRUCTIONS

Pack the cucumber slices into the jar along with any optional fresh spices, peppercorns and/or other seeds mentioned.

In a bowl, combine liquids, salt and sugar and mix thoroughly. Ensure that everything is completely dissolved.

Add the liquid to the jar, seal and refrigerate. You should be able to eat the pickles the next day. Some suggest you wait a week for everything to get "balanced". They will last for about 30 days.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Most recipes I found online suggested one bring the liquids, salt and sugar to a boil in a pot and mix thoroughly. Why boil the liquid? To ensure the salt and sugar dissolve.

I really don't boil my ingredients in a pot. Instead I boil water and measure 1/4 of a cup. I add the 1/4 cup of hot water to the bowl of sugar and salt and mix well. If I need more water, I measure another 1/4 cup and mix. Once everything is dissolved I add the remaining amount of water, mix and pour the solution into my jar of raw ingredients. Why do I do this? Well... I don't want to cook or heat up my raw cucumbers or carrots, do I? NO. I sometimes add raw herbs to my pickles.. Maybe some dill, etc... but I often fear they'll get mushy if they sit in the fridge for many days.

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I make music, but I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to cook.  This post is for all of you pickle lovers out there.  Come on... Some of you love nothing more than a good, crisp pickle.  Admit it.  It's ok.  

If your new years resolution was to be healthier and save money, here's your chance to eat something you love thats healthy and actually save some money too!

You can have your pickle your way.  Don't be afraid.  If you're into those everyday cucumber pickles we all know and love, you'll want to try this.  You might discover your home pickles will out perform those supermarket jars for a fraction of the cost (possibly).  Here is the recipe for basic quick pickles (glance to the right).

For those with more adventurous tongues, there is a vast array of options, shapes, colors and sizes... not to mention peppers and spices.  Why pickle mere cucumbers when jicima makes a nice, crispy treat?  I love a little spice in my life.  Why not add some chopped hot peppers of any kind (jalapeno, habenero, thai chili's, etc.). In the image above you see what I'm woking with.  I often add sliced jalapeños, big chunks of onion, garlic, habaneros and a wide variety of spices. I love to experiment and the possibilities are endless.

These pickles can be used in so many ways.  You can use them to liven up your salads, pr perhaps as a side for your favorite sandwich... These could be the perfect pickles for your burger.  You can also chop them up and make an interesting relish.  OR... You can do what most of us do and just eat them right out of the jar!!

Enjoy!

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Man in a Loft live on Truthseekers Radio 90.7 KPFK Los Angeles 12-21-13 by Man In A Loft on Mixcloud

Spinning 1.5 hours or originals and favorites + an interview on TRUTHSEEKERS RADIO [truthseekersradio.org].

Get Social: maninaloft.com -|- @maninaloftdt (twitter) -|- facebook.com/maninaloft

Santana of TRUTHSEEKERS RADIO gave me the opportunity to spin one hour and thirty minutes of "stuff" LIVE on 90.7 FM, KPFK, Los Angeles!!  It was a good time for me, even though it was a night of technical difficulties [Damn you Pioneer DJ-SSX!!!].  Please excuse the slight distortion.  It gets a little better later in the set.

If you get a chance, take a listen.  Santana starts the show with some slow and sensual electronic goodness…namely a cover of the Weeknd's What You Need by Banks, followed by FKA, RU and lovely piece called Honey, by DjRUM.   OH -- Also… a new favorite of mine in his set, Reva DeVito's cover of Sade's Sweetest Taboo.  If you like it slow and sensual and you never heard of these songs, you need to take the time. 

I go on about 30 minutes into the show.  I played quite a few songs from Jamila's upcoming EP entitled, Love is Sexy, including the publicly available singles, Feeling Friendly and Crazy (available on Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon and more).  Check those out.  I started my set with a wee snip of a remix in progress called Loaded.  I love the original and, of course, the originator.  She and her band of merry men paved the path upon which I walk.  Speaking of which, I was sure to play the chill ditty I Walk by Mister Lies.  I love that tune and the one that follows in the set.

Being on radio is not as stressful as being on TV.  After all, no one can see you.  But - I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. :)

Another favorite in the set is Jamie Cullum's cover of the Pharrel's, Frontin.  This s[censored]t is so HOT & jazzy, I have to blog about this in the near future!!!  That guy is sick.

Later in the set I get into a bit of faster pieces… I Miss You (Ta-Ku), 2652, my Rhianna Remix and, last but not least, my remix of Masia's MakeUp (ft. Isis Salam & Black Molly).  Good joints for your new years eve dance floor madness.

Given the recent events surrounding me, I had to close the set with some positivity, notably Ahmed Sirour's Love Another.  If you don't know this song, take the time.  A friend of some friends was recently shot and killed in an act of senseless violence in Los Angeles.  The more I think about it, the more I tear up as I type…and I didn't even know him well.  We definitely need to Love Another and this song says it all.  I am grateful for the songs existence.

I had to close with Celebrate by Build an Ark featuring the power vocals of Dwight Tribble.  Once again - if you don't know get to Googling.

Much love and respect to the entire TruthSeekers crew.  I hope to be a part of that community while I am on my journey.

Love & Respect,
Man in a Loft.