Super Simple Spicy Pickled Green Beans

This month's Everyday Food had a slew of terrific culinary inspiration - including a recipe for Spicy Pickled Green Beans.

I love pickled green beans, but they aren't something you often find in your neighborhood grocery store. And when I do find a jar, they are generally of the "gourmet" sort, and sportin' a gourmet price tag.

I've never pickled anything before (except myself on occasion), but Everyday Food has rarely steered me wrong.

Spicy Pickled Green Beans
(adapted from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food)

Just a few ingredients and a few simple steps is all it takes.

Ingredients

• 1# green beans, trimmed
  (I opted for the more slender french green beans.) 
• 3 cups white vinegar 
• 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced 
• 2 Tbs coarse salt 
• 1 Tbs black pepper corns 
• 2 tsp sugar 
• 2 dried red chilies
  (My local market didn't have any whole dried chilies, so I substituted 1/4 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes. Adjust peppers to your taste. We Weekses like spice.)

Directions

• Put green beans and garlic in a clean jar.
• In a saucepan, bring remaining ingredients to a boil. 
• Pour liquid into jar, seal closed and let cool to room temperature before refrigerating.

These emerald beauties will store in the fridge for up to one month -- though they don't have a chance of lasting that long in my household.

My first batch turned out so zingy & crunchy delicious, I was making a second batch as I nibble the last few beans.