100ml red wine vinegar
30ml water
¼ cup caster sugar
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthways
250g strawberries
Combine the vinegar, water and sugar in a small saucepan. Scrape the soft seeds from the centre of the vanilla pops and add to the pan. Cut the pods into shorter lengths and add to the pan. Stir over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat, add thyme. Set aside to cool.
Hull and half the strawberries. Place into a large, sterilized jar. Pour over the cooled pickle liquor. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Pickled strawberries are delicious over vanilla ice cream, toasted waffles or pancakes. Alternately spread toast or crumpets with labneh, crème fraiche or ricotta and top with drained pickled strawberries.