Quick recipes for pickled cucumbers in a bag
Perhaps, cucumbers are the most popular and high-yielding horticultural crop. Therefore, it is not surprising that resourceful housewives have come up with many variations of summer dishes that include this vegetable: twists, quick snacks, and even main courses. However, on any table, they are always happy to see exactly salted and lightly salted crispy cucumbers, so every housewife should know the recipes for their preparation. This article will discuss how to quickly and easily prepare delicious lightly salted cucumbers in a bag.
Features of the method
Most likely, pickling cucumbers by this method began to be used due to the fact that an appetizer of salted vegetables is a dish beloved by everyone. The spinning process is quite exhausting and laborious, and it takes a lot of time. Previously, many indulged themselves with such cucumbers only in winter, although they salted them in the summer. All this provoked the search for new ways to prepare a favorite snack.
Often, this method of salting vegetables is called dry, and all because there is simply no brine in the cooking process.
It is not needed - the fruits themselves give juice, which serves as a natural brine. As a rule, cucumbers are placed in a plastic bag, having previously done some manipulations with it, which are discussed below.
There are certain secrets and tricks that housewives use in the process of preparing salted cucumbers.In order for the appetizer to be on the table literally after half an hour, it is worth cutting them across into circles and not sending them to the refrigerator, unlike in all other cases - it is better to leave the vegetables at room temperature.
It is worth remembering that lightly salted cucumbers do not last long, so you should make them in small quantities. The fact is that vegetables cooked in this way give too much juice. Keep the prepared snack in a closed plastic or glass container and always in the refrigerator.
In order to make such an appetizer, you must have a juicy vegetable in your arsenal. Freshly picked cucumbers are best suited for pickling in a bag, but if you take purchased ones and do not know when the crop was obtained, then simply soak them in a basin of water. This procedure will help the vegetables to absorb moisture, which is so necessary for salting. Pimply cucumbers are the best suited for pickling. Choose firm, dark green vegetables with no visible damage.
Many are probably interested in why a package is chosen for salting. The thing is, it's very convenient. Agree, it’s good when you don’t need to wash the container from spices and cucumber juice, because the package can simply be disposed of. Also, the bag perfectly creates the conditions under which the juice comes out of the vegetables. The main thing is to tie it tight. Another undoubted advantage of this method is the ease of mixing the ingredients. Try to use only strong bags, otherwise the whole process will go down the drain. To prevent the bag from leaking, put any utensils under it that are larger than the bag itself.
It happens that the finished dish turns out to be salty, but this is fixable:
- you need to prepare the following brine: stir in 1 liter of clean drinking water 2 or 3 tablespoons of sugar;
- remove the released juice from the snack and prepare the greens in the same amount as during salting;
- put the cucumbers in a bag, add the greens and pour over the pre-prepared brine;
- leave in the refrigerator for 10-12 hours.
Take note of all these tricks invented over the years by wise housewives, and then you will save your time and be able to avoid many mistakes.
Nutritional value and calorie content of the dish
It is widely known that cucumbers are a low-calorie vegetable, but at the same time, carbohydrates prevail in its composition, again, because it is a vegetable. Lightly salted cucumbers are the perfect appetizer or snack for those on a low-calorie diet. However, people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is better to refrain from eating such cucumbers, because the rare recipe often includes savory ingredients.
So, let's analyze the detailed nutritional value of such a dish.
Almost 90 percent of the snack is water, the remaining 10 are dietary fiber, various organic acids, di- and monosaccharides. Proteins are approximately 0.6 per 120 grams (average cucumber). Fats account for 0.08 grams, and carbohydrates - 2.2. The calorie content of the snack is estimated at 12 kcal per 120 gr. A great alternative to any crackers, chips and other snacks.
Among other things, lightly salted cucumbers contain a lot of vitamins (groups A, C, H and E) and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iodine, etc. Tasty and healthy - these are the main characteristics of pickled cucumbers. Of course, if you have a healthy stomach that absorbs spicy food well.
Combination of ingredients
Cucumber is a very versatile vegetable.Its mildly pronounced taste allows you to come up with all sorts of flavor combinations. On Ilyin's Day they even make cucumbers with honey, but that's another story. As for salting, any spicy spice and salt can be added to such vegetables.
But there are the most common neighborhoods of cucumbers with specific seasonings.
- Cucumbers with garlic - a classic combination. Many housewives use it in the process of preparing salted snacks. The main thing (and this applies to all spices) is to know the measure and put garlic to taste. The latter, as a rule, is rubbed or crushed with a knife / special tools.
- Cucumbers with dill - no less classic combination. It is in almost every recipe. Greens give the dish freshness and mild taste. Depending on the salting period, dill can be cut, or you can put it in a whole sprig - in any case, the spice will give all its taste to the snack.
Some recipes use the umbrella type of such greens, which adds sharpness and spice to the taste.
- Cucumbers with mustard - a more exotic combination, but quite popular. The use of such a seasoning adds some sophistication and astringency to the finished dish. Among other things, mustard adds crunch to cucumbers and preserves the rich color of the skin. The spice is used in dry form, as vegetables give a large amount of juice, which ultimately gives the desired consistency.
- Cucumbers with horseradish - for those who like it spicier and spicier. It turns out very tasty and at the same time useful, because horseradish is famous for its anti-cold properties. The leaves of this plant are mainly used, but sometimes the grated root is added.
It is not uncommon to use seasonings such as basil, coriander, cilantro when pickling cucumbers. It's a matter of taste, because the addition of each spice brings its own shade. Salting with the use of different seasonings can surprise even the most sophisticated gourmet.
There is an addition of leaves of berry plants to a snack, most often cherries and currants. There is a practical side to using berry leaves: they increase the shelf life of the finished dish. Therefore, in classic recipes you can often find such ingredients.
The main thing in the process of salting such vegetables is creativity. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations. It is quite possible that you will create your own signature recipe and will delight your friends and relatives with it.
How to cook?
Quick recipe in 5 minutes
This option for preparing snacks will help out the housewives, who were suddenly called by friends and told that they were standing on the threshold with empty stomachs. While the guests are passing, seated and chatting, the wise hostess will prepare an insanely delicious snack that will complement any everyday dish from the refrigerator.
But there is a small nuance - the dish will turn out spicy, with some spiciness.
Take from the refrigerator:
- 1 kilogram of fresh small cucumbers;
- 1 small hot green pepper;
- 1 medium bunch of dill and cilantro of the same size;
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the same amount of soy sauce;
- 4 or 5 garlic cloves.
Cooking process:
- If you have enough time, it is better to pre-soak the cucumbers for a couple of hours in water. If this is not possible, then just rinse them well under running water.
- Next, you need to cut off the tails on each side, then cut either in half, or even less - it's a matter of taste.A little secret: the finer the cucumbers are cut, the less time it takes to pickle.
- The remaining components need to be finely chopped. There is no need to de-seed the pepper.
- Then all the ingredients must be placed in a bag, seasoned with oil and soy sauce, bandaged and shaken well.
- The final touch - we wait 5 minutes and get spicy crispy cucumbers.
Gourmet appetizer of pickled cucumbers
Increasing the cooking time of lightly salted cucumbers contributes to an even greater saturation of vegetables with the taste and aromas of spices and herbs. Therefore, if you have at least an hour of time left, then you can cook an exquisite pickled cucumber appetizer.
Take from the refrigerator:
- 1 kilogram of fresh cucumbers;
- 1 tablespoon of salt;
- 2 or 3 garlic cloves;
- fresh parsley and dill (to taste);
- ground black pepper and coriander, dry mustard (for piquancy).
Cooking process:
- To pickle, you must first rinse the cucumbers well under running water and cut off the tips. Cut the vegetables lengthwise (small and medium) or across (large) depending on the size.
- Mix garlic, herbs, salt, and other seasonings directly in the bag. Add prepared cucumbers to them.
- Shake the bag thoroughly so that the contents are well saturated with each other.
- Send a plastic bag to the refrigerator for 40-60 minutes and enjoy a delicious crispy snack.
We bet that your loved ones will appreciate such a recipe and will ask for more.
Recipe with basil
If you have at least a couple of hours, then you can make lightly salted cucumbers according to a different recipe. Basil will add exoticism to the dish and surprise everyone present at the table.
Most likely, you will have to share this recipe with those who try this snack.
Take from the refrigerator:
- 1 kilogram of fresh cucumbers;
- 1 tablespoon of sugar and the same amount of salt;
- 3 or 4 garlic cloves;
- 4-6 black peppercorns;
- 1 bunch of dill;
- 1 leaf of horseradish;
- 1 sprig of basil
Cooking process:
- Rinse cucumbers thoroughly under running water about 2-3 times. Then cut off the tails on both sides and cut into four pieces lengthwise. Place in a plastic bag.
- All greens must be thoroughly washed and cut off the hard parts. Horseradish and basil are best cut into pieces about 3-5 centimeters long. Add to cucumbers.
- Rinse the garlic cloves very well, but there is no need to peel them. Crush it using the flat part of the knife. We send to the preparation.
- With pepper, you should do all the same manipulations and send it to the bag with the rest of the ingredients.
- Next, you need to season everything that was put in the bag with salt and sugar and fasten it with a special fastener. Mix the workpiece well with your hand and shake the bag so that the seasoning is evenly distributed in the bag. Send all this to the refrigerator for 2 hours. Tip: these cucumbers go well with hot, freshly boiled potatoes flavored with butter. A simple and coveted by all dish will not take much time from the hostess and will please everyone at the table.
- After two hours, take the appetizer out of the fridge and serve with any main course.
"Expresso"
There are also variations in the preparation of pickles, which takes 2-3 hours. One such marinating recipe is called Expresso (not to be confused with Espresso coffee). The name was born from the word "express", because really 2-3 hours is a short time for pickling cucumbers, and the result exceeds many expectations.
Take from the refrigerator:
- 1 kilogram of fresh small cucumbers;
- 1 tablespoon of salt and the same amount of 9% vinegar;
- half a teaspoon of sugar;
- 2-4 medium cloves of garlic;
- 1 bunch of umbrella dill;
- leaves of cherry, horseradish and currant to taste or in a ratio of 3: 1: 3.
Cooking process:
- As usual, the first step is to thoroughly wash the vegetables and remove the tails. Then it is worth cutting each fruit into 2 or 4 pieces along.
- Garlic must be crushed with a grater or use a garlic press.
- The rest of the ingredients do not need to be processed - you just need to mix them with cucumbers and put them in a plastic bag along with garlic.
- Then shake the bag well and send it to the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
Classic way
In the case when the hostess is not limited in time, you can use recipes in which the cooking time increases to 5-6 hours. Cucumbers prepared in this way will decorate any holiday table and delight on weekdays.
We suggest you pickle vegetables according to one of these recipes.
Take from the refrigerator:
- 1 kilogram of fresh small cucumbers (about 10 cm in length);
- 1 tablespoon of salt;
- 1 teaspoon of sugar;
- 1 medium bunch of dill;
- 2 or 3 large garlic cloves.
Cooking process:
- Rinse the fruits thoroughly under running water, cut off the tails on each side.
- It is also good to wash the dill, remove excess moisture, then chop, but this is not necessary. During the time for which you need to salt the vegetables, the seasoning will give them all the taste and aroma.
- In this recipe, we recommend cutting the garlic into slices and adding to the chopped herbs and cucumbers.
- Take a plastic bag and place all prepared ingredients in it. As in many cases, it is recommended to shake the package well.Send the bag to the refrigerator for 6 hours. Tip: it is more convenient to prepare an appetizer according to this recipe at night - while you sleep, the cucumbers are soaked and acquire a wonderful taste and aroma.
"Under the vodka"
And it takes about a day to prepare the following pickles, but the result is worth the time spent. It turns out the perfect snack for spirits, which will appeal to both men and women.
Take from the refrigerator:
- 1 kilogram of fresh pimply cucumbers;
- about half a medium head of garlic;
- half a sharp small pepper;
- one bunch of dill and parsley;
- a rug of a teaspoon of dry mustard;
- 5-6 black peppercorns;
- a few dry dill umbrellas;
- one tablespoon of salt and sugar;
- plain or wine 6% vinegar.
Cooking process:
- Rinse the vegetables thoroughly with water or pre-soak for 2-3 hours (if necessary). Cut off the tails on each side and cut in half or quarters.
- Cut off the stems of the umbrella dill and put the fragrant part in a bag. Send cucumbers there.
- Dill and parsley bunches, as well as pepper, finely chop and place in a bag.
- Salt, sugar, season with pepper and mustard and top with vinegar.
- Mix the contents of the bag with your hands and tie it up.
- Leave for 30 minutes at room temperature, mix again, and then refrigerate for a day, at least overnight.
spicy cucumbers
And finally, we will tell you how to cook unusual, really spicy and tasty cucumbers.
The recipe came to us from Europe, but is gradually beginning to be mastered in Russia.
Take from the refrigerator:
- about 20 pieces of small cucumbers (but not gherkins);
- 1 whole head of medium-sized garlic;
- 1 tablespoon dill seeds;
- one bunch of fresh dill and parsley;
- 2 medium stalks of celery;
- 10 black peppercorns;
- 6 bay leaves;
- 2 medium heads of onions.
Cooking process:
- We cook a light brine: put all the spices in 1 liter of water, bring to a boil and stir for 10 minutes over medium heat.
- Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly under several waters, cut off the tails and place in a sealed plastic bag. Remember to put a deep container under the bag to avoid leakage. Put finely chopped garlic, onions and herbs along with vegetables.
- When the brine is ready, fill it with the contents of the package and wait for it to cool. Otherwise, the dish will be spoiled, and the refrigerator. Then send the cucumbers to the refrigerator for 10 or 12 hours.
- After the allotted time, remove the contents of the package and cut into circles, put the pickled onions and garlic next to them - they will decorate the appearance. Ready!
Lightly salted crispy cucumbers are not only a self-sufficient snack, but also ideal for any kind of potato (the main thing is with butter and dill). Moreover, it is quite possible to replace the meat component of the dish with vegetables, but it can also be wonderfully supplemented.
Salted vegetables can also be added to salads for spiciness, put in burgers. Some even replace fresh cucumbers with lightly salted ones when preparing okroshka. In any case, let your imagination run wild, create and enjoy delicious dishes prepared with your skillful hands.
Enjoy your meal!
See the next video for the recipe for salted cucumbers in a bag.