Strawberry Pie

Dear Readers,

I am going to give you some dating advice.  Yes, I know this is old fashioned, but one of the ways into a man's heart really is his stomach.  Last night I made Strawberry Pie and brought it to a party.  One guy's reaction to trying the pie was to ask if I am seeing anyone.  I broke the news to him that I am getting married in 7 weeks, but tried to soften the blow by saying that the pie is really easy to make.  He wasn't the first guy to try to ask me out based on my cooking skills.  So readers, if you are single, and looking for love - bring this pie to a party.  Maybe it will help you find love.

100% of the credit for this pie recipe goes to my Mom, Mary Ann.  Mom - please please don't be mad at me for sharing your top secret pie recipe with the world

Seriously, this pie is magic.  Promise me you will make it.  It is one of my best recipes.  My friends always get so excited when they hear that I am making it.  Please share you pie stories in the comments!

Prep time: 30 minutes

Total time: 1 1/2 hours

You will need:

1 quart hulled fresh strawberries

1 cup sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

3 tbsps corn starch

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup water

9 or 10 inch cooked pie crust - I buy the Pillsbury frozen pie crusts - no assembly required

Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Whipped Cream

Small carton of Heavy Whipping Cream

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp sugar

Step 1: 

Bake the pie crust following the instructions provided.  Sometimes I put chocolate chips in the pie crust just before I take the pie crust out of the oven.  Then spread the chocolate around to coat the bottom of the crust.  (Coating the crust in chocolate prevents the crust from getting soggy if you aren't going to eat the entire pie right away).  My friends really liked the chocolate, try it.

Step 2:

Set aside the 8 ripest berries.  Slice the rest of the strawberries.  Place them in the bottom of the pie crust.

Step 3:

In a heavy bottomed saucepan, crush the 8 ripest berries - a potato masher works really well for this.  Add the sugar, corn starch, salt, lemon juice, and water.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils.  Boil one minute.  Set aside and allow to cool for 10 minutes.  The pour the mixture into the pie crust - on top of the sliced strawberries.  Chill for at least one hour.  

Step 4:

Top with whipped cream.  Combine 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp sugar.  Use electric mixer to whip.

Great Grandma Graham's Pumpkin Pie

This pie is very easy to make and it is something that everyone looks forward to on Thanksgiving.  For a lower fat variation skip the crust and pour into ramekins.  Also note that this makes a lot of filling - it is made for a 10 inch pie pan.  If you are using a smaller pie pan pour the excess filling into a ramekin and bake along with the pie.  My mom always has just enough leftover filling to make a little bowl of crustless filling.  My sister laid claim to it years ago and she eats it every Thanksgiving morning as breakfast.

NO ROLL PIE CRUST
3/4 cup of butter- 1 & 1/2 sticks
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
Melt butter in saucepan. Remove from heat & add both sugar and stir to combine. Stir in flour. Cool 15 minutes (dough will be warm). Spray 10 inch pie pan with non- stick spray. Press dough onto bottom & up the sides of pie pan. Cover & refrigerate at least 30 minutes & up to 24 hours.

PIE FILLING:
2 Cups pumpkin pie filling- 1 can
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon molasses
1 empty pumpkin can full of milk
3 eggs separated-beat the whites until very SOFT peaks and save
Slightly beat the 3 egg yolks, then slowly add and combine all ingredients except egg whites. When mixed well, gently fold in the egg whites. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 for about 45 minutes. Center should be rather firm. You may need a pie crust protector ring to reduce the browning of the crust.

OPTIONAL NUT TOPPING:
1 & 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
Combine the nuts & brown sugar. After the pie has baked for 45 min. remove crust protector, sprinkle the nut topping around the perimeter of the pie. Continue baking until knife inserted comes out clean. You can broil for 30 seconds to caramelize the brown sugar. Watch the pie carefully to avoid scorching.