The Ultimate Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe

Summer is the perfect time for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings with family and friends. But often, the same old dishes can become dull and repetitive. So why not spice things up a little?

If you are ready to create a delicious and unique side dish that is perfect for any occasion: it's time to create the ultimate dill pickle pasta salad, which is a fan favorite for pickle lovers and beyond. Not only will this recipe impress your guests, but it's also incredibly easy to make. I find that it blows a boring pasta salad out of the water.

Using only a few simple ingredients, you can create a dish that is both crowd-pleasing and refreshing. So, let's get started!

Ingredients:

• ½ pound Dry Spiral Pasta (about 3 cups - you can substitute penne or macaroni noodles)

• 1 cup dill Pickles (sliced)

• ⅔ cup feta cheese (crumbled)

• ½ cup Fresh Dill (chopped)

• ⅔ cup Mayonnaise

• ⅓ cup soft or melted cream cheese

• 1-2 dashes of hot sauce (I prefer crystal for this recipe)

• 4 tablespoons Pickle Juice (or add more to taste)

• Fresh ground Salt & Pepper to taste

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Begin by cooking the dry spiral pasta according to the directions on the package. Make sure to add salt to the water before boiling. When the pasta is cooked to your desired texture, drain it and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer the pasta to a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add the pickles and feta cheese

Slice one cup of pickles and add them to the pasta in the mixing bowl. Then crumble 2/3 of a cup of feta cheese and sprinkle it over the pasta and pickles.

Step 3: Mix the dressing

In a separate mixing bowl, combine 2/3 of a cup of mayonnaise, 1/3 of a cup of soft or melted cream cheese, 1-2 dashes of hot sauce, and 4 tablespoons of pickle juice. Whisk the ingredients together until they're smooth and creamy. You can add more pickle juice to desired tanginess.

Step 4: Add the dressing and dill

Pour the dressing over the pasta, pickles, and feta cheese. Then, chop 1/2 cup of fresh dill and sprinkle it over the top. Mix everything together until the pasta salad is evenly coated in the dressing.

Step 5: Season with salt and pepper

Finally, give your pasta salad a taste and add salt and pepper to your liking. Refrigerate for at least and hour or until ready to serve.

Dill pickle pasta salad is a unique and refreshing side dish that will quickly become a staple at all your gatherings. Feel free to experiment if you want to add some chopped bacon or sliced cherry tomatoes.

It's easy to make, delicious, and guaranteed to impress your guests. So, next time you're in need of a new dish to bring to a potluck or barbecue, try out this recipe. Your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you!

Get Smoking with Beer Brined Baby Back Ribs

If you’re looking to add some flavor to your summer grilling, look no further than beer brined baby back ribs smoked on the grill. This unique and delicious cooking method infuses your meat with flavorful and aromatic ingredients that will make your taste buds sing. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the process of making perfect beer brined baby back ribs at home, all the way from selecting the right beer to marinading, cooking, and basting your ribs to perfection. Gather your friends and family and let’s get grilling!

Make sure you remove the silver skin from the ribs.

Step 1: Select Your Beer

The first step to infusing your baby back ribs with the perfect flavor is selecting the right beer for your brine. We recommend choosing a beer that’s light and refreshing, such as a pilsner or a blonde ale, to pair well with the sweetness of the meat. I selected Stella, because a guest brought it over and I can't imagine anyone in our house drinking it! A good rule of thumb is to use about one can of beer for every rack of ribs you’re cooking. So of course, I used 6 beers for 2 racks of ribs because I wanted the meat to take a full soak in the brine

Step 2: Make Your Brine

Once you’ve chosen your beer, it’s time to create your brine mixture. Begin by pouring your beer into a pot. Then, add some kosher salt, brown sugar, garlic powder and your choice of spices such as paprika and chili powder. Mix all the ingredients together, then bring to a boil to allow the spices to converge. Let it cool, then submerge your baby back ribs in a zipper lock bag and let it sit in the fridge to brine for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill or Smoker

When you’re ready to cook your ribs, it’s time to fire up the grill. We suggest setting your grill to a medium-heat for indirect cooking. I went for thr temperature of 225. Remove your ribs from the zipper lock bag and discard the marinade. Once your grill has come up to temperature, place your ribs bone-side down on the indirect side of the grill. Cover your grill and cook your ribs for 2 hours.

Next, wrap your ribs in foil and continue cooking (2 hours for completely "fall off the bone". 1 hour for more meaty). You can also add some butter slices to the foil pack if you want to make sure they are extra juicy. However, they do just fine in their own juice.

Unwrap the ribs and return them to the grill bone side down.

Step 4: Baste Your Ribs

To give your ribs some extra flavor, it’s important to baste them with a flavorful sauce. Combine your favorite barbecue sauce with a little bit of the. Brush the sauce onto both sides of your ribs and let it cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, letting the sauce caramelize and create a delicious glaze.

Step 5: Let Your Ribs Rest

Once your ribs are done cooking, it’s time to let them rest before cutting and serving. Let your ribs rest for about 10 minutes before cutting into them to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that each bite is juicy and flavorful.

That’s all there is to it! With this recipe, you’ll be able to make the most succulent and tasty beer brined baby back ribs you’ve ever tasted. Whether you're entertaining guests or looking to enjoy a delicious meal with your family, these ribs are sure to be a hit. So get your grill ready, grab your ingredients and let's get cooking! Remember to experiment with the flavors to find the perfect combination for your taste buds. Enjoy!

Beer Brine Recipe:

• Beer - Lager or ale

• 1/4 cup Kosher Salt

• 1/4 cup Pepper

• Garlic (teaspoon of powder of 2-3 minced cloves)

• 1/2 Tsp Paprika

The Magic of Hollandaise Sauce: A Homemade Recipe Guide

Imagine having a luxurious breakfast with poached eggs, ham or smoked salmon, and fluffy English muffins with a smooth, creamy sauce drizzled all over it.

That's right, let's talk about hollandaise sauce! This French classic is known for its rich and velvety texture, unmistakable tanginess, and a silky buttery flavor. Hollandaise sauce can seem intimidating to make, especially for home cooks. But with this simple recipe, you'll be surprised how easy it is to recreate this restaurant classic from scratch! Blog Body:

Origin: Hollandaise sauce originated in France during the 17th century, and it has since become a popular accompaniment for various dishes, from eggs benedict to grilled asparagus. The sauce is made from egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice. It's the perfect example of the emulsion technique, where two liquids, in this case, oil and water, are combined to create a smooth and stable mixture. In Hollandaise sauce, the egg yolks act as the emulsifier that binds the melted butter, while the lemon juice adds acidity and flavor.

Variations: There are several variations of hollandaise sauce, such as bearnaise sauce, a derivative that includes tarragon and shallots.

Adding jalapenos or hot sauce to hollandaise can give it a spicy kick, while adding spices such as cumin or paprika can mix things up. Replacing the lemon juice with vinegar results in a different taste profile, and you can experiment with different types of vinegar or citrus juices as well.

More recently, avocado hollandaise, made by incorporating mashed avocado into the sauce gives it a creamy, vibrant twist.

Full Recipe: Here's a full recipe for homemade hollandaise sauce:

Ingredients:

• 3 egg yolks

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• Salt and freshly ground white pepper (or cayenne pepper for some extra kick), to taste Instructions:

Steps:

1. In a heat-safe bowl or top of a double boiler

2. Place your bowl over a pot of gently simmering water, but do not let the bowl touch the water.

3. Continuously whisk the yolk mixture until it starts to thicken, and you can see tracks from the whisk.

4. Gradually add melted butter while still continuously whisking, making sure it is well combined.

5. Continue whisking until the sauce is thick and creamy, if too thick, add a few drops of water, and continue whisking.

6. Season with salt and freshly ground white or cayenne pepper to taste.

Homemade hollandaise sauce may require a bit of technique, but it's worth every effort to create this luxurious, tasty, and creamy sauce. It's a simple recipe that can take your breakfast or brunch to the next level. Experiment with different flavors and variations, to create your own signature hollandaise sauce. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to whip up hollandaise sauce in no time and impress your guests with an unforgettable brunch.