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Quick Cucumber Pickles with Rye Bread and Cheese

The ultimate beer-hall food is also quite possibly one of our most versatile recipes. Arrange the pickles on a board with Gouda and a soft, dark loaf of rye from the bakery for a satisfying ploughman’s lunch. Whip up a batch to present in an attractive jar for a delectable edible gift that comes together in minutes. Or just serve alongside sandwiches in a buffet—the tart, lightly spicy crunch of the cucumber is a refreshing complement to most cheeses, from Cheddar to goat.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 6 hors d¿oeuvre servings

Ingredients

2 English cucumbers
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons drained bottled horseradish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 loaf rye bread (1 pound)
2 (6- to 8-ounce) pieces semisoft cheese (preferably German, such as Cambozola or Mirabo)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut the cucumbers crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices, then toss with the salt in a bowl and let stand 15 minutes. Rinse and drain the cucumbers and pat dry with paper towels.

    Step 2

    Whisk together the vinegar, sugar, mustard, horseradish, and dill until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the cucumbers and let stand at least 5 minutes.

    Step 3

    Slice the bread and serve with the pickles and the cheese.

  2. do ahead

    Step 4

    The PICKLES can be made 2 to 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.

The Epicurious Cookbook
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