My Own "Vlasic" Bread and Butter Pickles!

I am hooked on Vlasic Bread and Butter Pickles. 

I have always loved bread and butter pickles, but none compares to Vlasic for me.  It is relatively easy to make pickles.  Rachael Ray has an entire fan base "quick pickling" everything.   I have tried many combinations of sugar, vinegar and spices.  While they are all good, nothing compares to Vlasic.



Next problem is the expense.  Vlasic pickles aren't cheap.  The jars of the Bread and Butter Sandwich Snackers are sometimes as much as $4.79 and they don't go on sale very often.  Combine that with the fact that when I open the jar, it makes about 3 sandwiches.  So, the pickles ends up costing more than the meat or cheese on a sandwich.

My solution of sorts was discovered today!!  I had saved the jar with the brine in it to use as part of a barbecue sauce.  I have done that before.  All of a sudden I had an idea!  I cut up some baby cucumbers and  a small onion and added it all to the jar.  Then I added a few handfuls of grape tomatoes.  It is all brining in the refrigerator.

So, I added the veggies but the flavor is pure VLASIC!!

A second jar for the price of one!  

Slow Cooker Baked Beans in a Rice Cooker (DRIED BEANS!!)

Here is our dinner tomorrow night.  One of the great things about it, is that you can start with dried beans and 4 hours later, you have a full meal.  My rice cooker has a slow cook setting.

Slow-Cooked Baked Beans in a Rice Cooker
Serves 6–8 as a side dish and 3-4 as a main meal.
Ingredients:

• 3/4 lb thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 lb kielbasa, sliced into coins 
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 lb dried pinto beans
• 5 cups water
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup spicy mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Preparation:

1. Cook the bacon over medium heat in a medium-size skillet. When the bacon begins to brown, add the onions and kielbasa and sauté until translucent.
2. Place the beans into the slow cooker with the water, bacon, kielbasa and onion. Cover and set the slow cooker on high for 3 hours.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Combine the molasses, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
4. After 3 hours add the sauce and stir to combine. Cover and let the beans cook an additional hour.