Bread & butter pickles

200 kcal or less barbecue bbq for a crowd over an hour pickled pickled cucumbers pickled gherkins pickling summer

N/A

Makes 500ml

Ingredients

400g Lebanese or Kirby cucumber (about 6-7 small ones), cut into 1cm thick slices (available at Whole Foods or from a greengrocer)

1 medium onion , cut into thick slices

2 tbsp rock or flaked sea salt

300ml apple cider vinegar

140g golden caster sugar

¼ tsp ground turmeric

¼ tsp celery seeds

¼ tsp chilli flakes

2 tbsp yellow or brown mustard seeds

Method

Put the cucumbers, onion slices and salt in a sieve set over a bowl, and cover with ice and something to weigh it down. Let stand for 1-2 hrs in the fridge, then drain well. (This helps to push the water out of the cucumber, which means it will stay crunchy later when brined.)

Meanwhile, put the vinegar, 200ml water, the sugar, turmeric, celery seeds, chilli flakes and mustard seeds in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool to room temperature. Put the cucumber and onion mixture in a 500ml- capacity jar or sealable plastic container, pour over the brining liquid, cover and seal. Chill for at least 3 hrs. Will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.