Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe 455

Steps:

• Prepare crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine shortbread cookies, sugar, flour and salt and blend until you have fine crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a medium mixing bowl. Add butter and mix with a fork until crumbs are evenly moistened. Tip crumbs into a standard 9-inch pie plate and press them in an even layer on the bottom and up the sides of the plate. Bake until golden brown and set, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.
• Prepare filling: Cut each of the strawberries in quarters or eighths, if they are large. Transfer 2 cups berries to a small saucepan and crush completely with a potato masher. Set aside the remaining berries in a large bowl. Add the sugar, preserves, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon water and salt to the saucepan.
• Bring strawberry mixture to a boil over medium heat and then cook it an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add strawberry mixture and lemon juice to the strawberries in the bowl and stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared crust and gently tap it down into an even layer. Transfer to the fridge to set for at least 4 hours.
• Just before serving, whip cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla, if using, to soft peaks. Top pie with whipped cream.

Steps:

• For the crust: Spoon flour into measuring cup and level. Combine flour and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in shortening using a pastry blender until all flour is blended to form pea-sized chunks. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Toss lightly with fork until dough forms a ball. Press dough between hands to form a 5 to 6-inch pancake. Lightly flour rolling surface and rolling pin. Roll dough into circle. Trim 1-inch larger than upside-down pie plate. Loosen dough carefully. Fold dough into quarters. Unfold and press into pie plate. Fold edge under. Flute.
• For the filling: Blend sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan; add lemon-lime soda. Cook stirring until smooth and thick. Add strawberries and cook for a few minutes. If desired, add red food coloring. Pour into cooled pie shell. Chill. Top with whipped cream if desired.