CAROLINA PINES REALTY: NORTH CAROLINA STRAWBERRY PIE.....

Friday, May 2, 2008

NORTH CAROLINA STRAWBERRY PIE.....

It's time for another "Southern Favorites" recipe -- and since strawberries are in season right now here in North Carolina and the Farmer's Market is just brimming with them -- I'm going to share one of my favorite strawberry pie recipes with you today.

It's ridiculous how easy this is to make -- and people just ADORE it! Ready???

Ingredients
Crust...

Your own favorite pie crust recipe, or - store bought pie crust is fine for this.

Filling...

2 Cups Fresh Strawberries

1/2 Cup of Water

2/3 Cups of Sugar

1 Tablespoon of FRESH Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons of Cornstart

6 more cups of Fresh strawberries

Topping....

I like to make my own whipped cream because it is so easy to make and tastes so good, but Cool Whip, Ready Whip, will work in a pinch. (click on the link for directions on how to make your own)

Preparation.....
Preheat oven to 350°.
Bake pie crust at 350° for 10 - 15 minutes; cool on a wire rack.

To prepare filling, mash 2 cups strawberries with a potato masher. Combine mashed strawberries and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press the strawberry mixture through a sieve (to eliminate seeds) into a bowl, and reserve 1 cup strawberry liquid (add enough water to measure 1 cup, if necessary). Discard pulp or - I keep mine to make healthy smoothies from!)

Now, you combine 2/3 cup of sugar and the cornstarch in a pan; add strawberry liquid, stirring well with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in FRESH lemon juice. (Lemons are so inexpensive, ALWAYS use FRESH lemons or lime for juice!!)

Arrange a layer of strawberries cut in half (flat sides down) in the crust. Spoon about one-third of sauce over the strawberries. Arrange the remaining strawberries on top, and spoon the remaining sauce over the strawberries. Chill for at least 3 hours.