If the key word is "pickles" meaning vinegar then the above suggestions are great. But if you mean "simple", you can make Japanese -style pickles very simply. Remove seeds from an English cucumber, or just use Asian (slender) cucumbers. Slice thinly. Sprinkle with 1 T salt. Let sit about 10 minutes. Rinse, and squeeze the liquid from the cucumbers. Done.
Works with Napa cabbage too.

And another: a Feature here that I needed to look up myself.
http://food52.com/blog/7098-quick-pickling-101

Just search on "pickling"

More quick pickles.... this one is from a recent Feature here:
http://www.foodinjars.com/2013/06/a-very-large-bowl-of-pickles-for-a-potluck/

Check out these discussions on the topic: http://food52.com/hotline/16257-how-do-you-make-pickles, http://food52.com/hotline/16437-how-do-you-make-a-pickle, http://food52.com/hotline/20177-how-do-you-make-good-pickles