Vanilla Bean Pickled Strawberries with Goat Cheese Crostini: A Gourmet Summer Delight

Prepare to elevate your culinary experience with a truly unique and irresistible appetizer: vanilla bean pickled strawberries served atop creamy goat cheese crostini. This elegant dish effortlessly combines sweet, tangy, and savory notes, creating a symphony of flavors that is both sophisticated and surprisingly simple to prepare. Perfect for entertaining, a romantic dinner, or a luxurious picnic, these pickled strawberries are destined to become your new favorite summer staple. They offer a refreshing deviation from the usual, proving that the most memorable flavors often come from unexpected combinations.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kraft Heinz. As always, all opinions are my own.

The Inspiration Behind a New Favorite

Just last month, my partner and I celebrated a special occasion, opting for an evening out that promised a reprieve from our usual home-cooked meals and, more importantly, from washing dishes. He surprised me with a reservation at a charming downtown restaurant, where we were treated to an unforgettable culinary journey as the sun dipped below the horizon. Every dish was a work of art, vibrant in color and bold in flavor, yet one particular starter left an indelible mark on my palate and imagination.

It was a simple yet profoundly delicious creation: crisp, seeded crackers generously spread with a fresh spring onion goat cheese, crowned with glistening pickled strawberries, and finished with a delicate pinch of fresh mint. From the first bite, a kaleidoscope of sensations erupted – the savory crunch of the cracker, the creamy tang of goat cheese, the unexpected burst of sweet and sour from the strawberries, and a subtle herbaceous lift from the mint. It was an astoundingly complex yet harmonious medley that had us requesting a second serving. We even half-jokingly considered discreetly stuffing jars of these incredible pickled strawberries into my purse on our way out. It was then I knew: I had to recreate this unlikely new favorite at home.

Why Pickled Strawberries Are a Game Changer

When most people think of pickling, their minds often jump to cucumbers, onions, or other savory vegetables. However, the art of pickling extends beautifully to fruits, transforming their natural sweetness into something far more intricate and exciting. Pickled strawberries offer a captivating balance of tartness, sweetness, and a subtle savory depth that is absent in their fresh counterpart. The pickling process enhances their natural fruitiness while introducing a bright acidity that cuts through richness, making them an ideal counterpoint to creamy cheeses and hearty meats.

By infusing them with vanilla bean, we add another layer of sophisticated aroma and flavor. The warm, floral notes of vanilla complement the strawberries’ sweetness and the vinegar’s tang, creating a truly gourmet experience. This unique preparation method not only extends the shelf life of peak-season strawberries but also unlocks a new dimension of flavor that will surprise and delight your taste buds.

Crafting Your Own Vanilla Bean Pickled Strawberries

Recreating this magical appetizer at home is surprisingly straightforward, requiring just a few key ingredients and minimal effort. The secret lies in selecting the freshest, plumpest strawberries you can find and pairing them with a quality vinegar. Here’s how to bring this gourmet delight to your kitchen:

Ingredients:

• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup Heinz® Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Strawberries: Begin by washing and hulling your strawberries. For uniform pickling and easy serving, quarter larger berries or halve smaller ones. Place the prepared strawberries into clean, heat-proof glass jars. Distribute the scraped vanilla bean seeds and the empty vanilla pod evenly among the jars.
2. Make the Brine: In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine the hot water and granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. This hot water helps dissolve the sugar quickly, ensuring a smooth brine.
3. Add the Vinegar: Once the sugar water mixture has cooled slightly (it doesn’t need to be fully cold, just not boiling hot), stir in the Heinz® Apple Cider Vinegar. I specifically recommend Heinz® Apple Cider Vinegar for this recipe because of its all-natural composition and smooth, fruity undertones. Made from sweet apples and the finest grapes, it’s a perfect complement to the sweetness of the strawberries. Its balanced acidity is crucial; it increases the tartness required for pickling but harmonizes beautifully with the strawberries’ natural sugars, creating a fabulous and complex flavor experience. It’s also my go-to for pickling other vegetables, a testament to its consistent quality.
4. Combine and Seal: Carefully pour the cooled vinegar mixture over the strawberries in the jars, ensuring the strawberries are fully submerged. Leave a small amount of headspace at the top of each jar. Seal the jars tightly with lids.
5. Refrigerate: Place the sealed jars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. For optimal flavor development, allow them to pickle for a few hours or even overnight. These pickled strawberries will keep well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, allowing you to enjoy their unique flavor for an extended period.

Assembling the Perfect Goat Cheese Crostini

While the pickled strawberries are the star, the crostini provides the perfect stage. Their crisp texture and creamy topping create the ideal canvas for the vibrant berries. Here’s how to assemble these delightful bites:

Crostini Components:

• Your favorite crusty bread (baguette, sourdough, or even my No-Knead Crusty Artisan Bread)
• Olive oil
• Soft goat cheese (plain or spring onion flavored)
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Assembly Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crostini: Slice your bread into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Brush lightly with olive oil and toast in a preheated oven (or a toaster oven) until golden brown and crisp. This can be done ahead of time.
2. Spread the Cheese: Once the crostini are cool enough to handle, spread a generous layer of soft goat cheese on each slice. The tangy, creamy nature of goat cheese pairs exquisitely with the pickled strawberries, but feel free to experiment with other soft cheeses if goat cheese isn’t your preference. A garlic-herb cream cheese spread, often found in the deli section of most grocery stores, would also be a fantastic choice.
3. Top with Strawberries: Gently spoon a few of the vanilla bean pickled strawberries onto each cheese-laden crostini. Allow some of the beautiful brine to lightly moisten the cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
4. Garnish and Serve: Finish with a small pinch of freshly chopped mint. The mint adds a fragrant, refreshing counterpoint that elevates the entire dish. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

Beyond Crostini: Versatile Serving Suggestions

While the goat cheese crostini is a stellar way to enjoy these pickled strawberries, their versatility extends far beyond. Don’t limit yourself to just one application! Here are several more delicious ideas to incorporate these tart and sweet gems into your meals:

• Salads: They make an exceptional addition to fresh green salads, especially those with arugula or spinach, toasted nuts, and a light vinaigrette. The bright acidity provides a wonderful contrast.
• Breakfast Bagels: Spread cream cheese on your morning bagel and top with a spoonful of pickled strawberries for an unexpectedly gourmet start to your day.
• Desserts: Stir them into vanilla ice cream or Greek yogurt for a truly unique and refreshing treat. The combination of creamy dessert and tangy fruit is divine.
• Cheese Boards: A charcuterie or cheese board is incomplete without a compelling preserve. These pickled strawberries are a sophisticated alternative to traditional jams, pairing beautifully with various cheeses, cured meats, and crusty bread.
• Savory Enhancements:
  • Balsamic Drizzle: A drizzle of balsamic glaze or reduction over the crostini adds an extra layer of sweet-tart complexity.
  • Summer Corn: For a textural and seasonal twist, add a sprinkle of fresh summer corn kernels to your crostini.
  • Prosciutto: Drape thin slices of prosciutto over the goat cheese before adding the strawberries for a salty, savory counterpoint that takes these crostini over the top.
• Sandwiches: Incorporate them into gourmet sandwiches or wraps for a burst of unexpected flavor.

Seasonal Delights and Effortless Entertaining

These vanilla bean pickled strawberries are a true celebration of summer, capturing the essence of peak-season fruit in an exciting new way. They are ideal for:

• Party Guests: Their elegant presentation and gourmet flavor make them a show-stopping appetizer that will impress any guest.
• Easy Weeknight Meals: With the strawberries prepared ahead of time, assembling these crostini takes mere minutes, turning a simple weeknight into a special occasion.
• Picnics: We often enjoy recreating our first date with a picnic in the park, and I can easily envision bringing jars of these tangy-sweet strawberries, an assortment of cheeses, cured meats, and a fresh baguette down to the lake. They’re mess-free and travel wonderfully, making them a perfect addition to any outdoor feast. For more fantastic spring and summer picnic recipes, be sure to explore options like the Picnic Basket Turkey Sandwich and Strawberry-Jalapeño Salsa – both are super easy to make ahead and tote along for two, or for a crowd of hungry friends.

The combination of simple ingredients, seasonal flavors, and a uniquely delicious deviation from the usual makes this recipe an absolute winner. It’s an ode to the comfort of homemade food, proving that gourmet tastes are within everyone’s reach.

The Joy of Homemade: A Culinary Adventure

There’s an undeniable satisfaction that comes from recreating a memorable dish at home, especially one that initially seemed so sophisticated and out of reach. These vanilla bean pickled strawberries with goat cheese crostini embody that joy. They encourage experimentation in the kitchen, pushing the boundaries of traditional flavor profiles and revealing the incredible versatility of simple ingredients. It’s a reminder that cooking is not just about following recipes, but about embarking on culinary adventures, inspired by new tastes and experiences.

Whether you’re an experienced pickler or a curious beginner, this recipe offers an accessible entry point into the delightful world of fruit pickling. It’s an opportunity to transform familiar ingredients into something truly extraordinary, proving that the most incredible flavors often arise from unexpected pairings and a little creative courage.

Try these scrumptious strawberries today and discover a new dimension of summer flavor!

For more delicious, easy recipes using Heinz Vinegar for pickling and canning, click here.

Click here for the full recipe: Vanilla Bean Pickled Strawberries with Goat Cheese Crostini