Honing Your Cooking Ritual

Posted on: 10 November 2016

Deli-style pickles are known for being robust, crunchy, and flavorful. To make pickles, small cucumbers are typically soaked in a vinegar brine full of seasonings such as garlic, dill, whole peppercorns, and mustard and coriander seeds. 

If you have some jars of deli-style pickles on hand, you can either eat them by themselves as a low-calorie snack, or incorporate them into a variety of recipes. The pickles' savory flavor will blend well with a variety of lunch and dinner entrees, as well as appetizers and snacks.

Here are some ways you can work deli-style pickles into your favorite dishes:

Appetizers 

1. Cream Cheese and Pickle Rolls 

Transform the pickles into mouthwatering appetizers by first spreading cream cheese into thin layers over pieces of deli luncheon meat. Then, place 1/4 of a regular-size pickle in the middle of the meat and then roll it up. Cut the long rolls into even, bite-size pieces and place toothpicks through each serving.

2. Charcuterie Board 

The robust pickles will take center stage on a charcuterie board, which will make an ideal starter to any elegant dinner party. Arrange small deli pickles, a variety of meats and cheeses, and crackers on a wooden board and instruct dinner guests to make up their own individual plates.

Lunches 

1. Tuna or Chicken Salad

A fast and easy way to quickly add bold flavor to your favorite tuna or chicken salad recipe is by adding diced deli-style pickles or relish to your usual mix of mayonnaise, onions and spices. Serve the jazzed-up salad in sandwiches, or stuff them into a hollowed-out tomato or green pepper as a low-carb lunch option. 

2. Dill Pickle Grilled Cheese Sandwich

If you're looking for a tasty vegetarian lunch option, layer your preferred type or cheese, such as cheddar or Swiss, along with sliced deli pickles, onto buttered bread. Pan-fry the sandwich on both sides until it's golden brown and serve alone or with a bowl of tomato soup for a tangy treat. 

Dinners 

1. Pickle and Potato Soup

As a creative twist on traditional potato soup, add chopped deli pickles to the mix. The unexpected pickles will add plenty of crunch and tartness to the smooth, creamy soup. 

2. Grilled Salmon with Dill Pickle Sauce

Add a pop of spicy flavor to grilled salmon by spooning a creamy sauce made from pureed deli-style pickles, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, capers, and the seasonings of your choice.