Elegant Light Strawberry Pie Food

CLASSIC STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Add the flour, sugar and salt to the bowl of your food processor (or a large bowl if your making the dough by hand).
• Turn the food processor on low speed and add the chunks of cold butter one at a time while the food processor runs until all the butter is added and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.If making by hand, use a pastry blender or your hands to work the butter into the dough until the mixture is crumbly. Try not to handle the butter too much (the heat from your hands will soften it) - use quick movements and don't worry if some larger chunks of butter still remain.
• Add the lemon juice and the water slowly as the food processor runs on low, just until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Depending on the weather and even on the brand of flour, I use anywhere between 5 and 8 tablespoons of water. If making by hand, use your hands to form the dough gently and quickly using just enough water for the dough to come together.
• Dump the rough dough onto the counter and divide the dough into two disc shapes and wrap each one separately in plastic wrap, placing it in the fridge to chill for 45 minutes or overnight.
• Add the sliced strawberries to a bowl, along with the cornstarch, sugar, salt and lemon juice. Toss just until combined.
• Set the filling aside while you prepare the crust for baking.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oven runs hot, set it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. (Use an oven thermometer to ensure the correct temperature)
• Remove the chilled pie dough from the fridge and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rolling. Roll out one of the balls of dough into a large circle using a rolling pin. Add a generous amount of flour to the rolling surface and to the rolling pin, to prevent sticking and cracking.
• Peel the rolled out dough off the counter surface gently by rolling it backwards onto the rolling pin.
• Transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate and gently press the dough into the bottom of the pie plate and over the edges (try for a 1-2 inch overhang if possible).
• Add the strawberry filling to the pie crust and smooth out the top.
• Repeat the rolling out process with the second ball of dough, this time slicing it into about 10 long, thin slices using a pizza cutter (or a pastry cutter, if you have one).
• Create a lattice pattern using the strips of dough, overlapping every second vertical strip with every second horizontal strip.
• Trim any dough that hangs over the edge of the pie to 1-2 inches past the edge (try to keep the overhang amount even all the way around). Tuck any overhanging dough under and into the pie plate to create a clean edge.
• If your pie plate has a wide edge, seal the edge of the pie by creating a fluted pattern - press into the edge of the pie from the outside with your left thumb and index finger while pressing into the edge of the pie from the inside with your right index finger. Do this all the way around the edge of the pie to create a fluted pattern (and see my tutorial HERE for how to create a beautiful fluted edge to your pies!)
• Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon of water and brush it lightly onto the unbaked crust. Use a light hand while brushing - too much egg wash creates an eggy texture after baking.
• Dust the crust with the coarse sugar and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 375 (350 if your oven runs hot) and bake for an additional 35-45 minutes or until the crust is evenly browned and the filling is bubbly.
• Let cool to room temperature before slicing and serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

LIGHT STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving juice in a 2-cup measuring cup. Set pineapple aside. Add enough water to juice to measure 1-1/2 cups; transfer to a saucepan. Whisk in the pudding mix and gelatin until combined. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in pineapple. Remove from the heat; cool for 10 minutes. , Add the strawberries; toss gently to coat. Pour into crust. Refrigerate until set, about 3 hours. Garnish each piece with 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Refrigerate leftovers.

STRAWN'S EAT SHOP'S STRAWBERRY ICEBOX PIE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Pulse the flour and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the shortening and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Add the ice water, then continue to pulse until the mixture becomes a shaggy dough. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into an 11-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick), then fit into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim away any excess dough, crimp the edges and prick the bottom all over with a fork. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of the pie with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the bottom is just starting to set and the edges are just starting to brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue to bake until the crust is golden brown and cooked through, about 10 more minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Whisk the eggs with the granulated sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons milk until smooth, then whisk into the egg mixture. Warm the remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk and the melted butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until steaming, 2 minutes. Slowly whisk the warm milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, then return the entire mixture to the saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the red food coloring.
• Spoon the glaze into the pie crust and spread over the bottom and up the sides. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, 2 hours.
• Spread the berries in the glazed crust. Dust with confectioners' sugar.
• Make the topping: Beat the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread over the pie and top with the strawberry half.

STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Quarter 2 pounds of the strawberries and set aside. Dice half of the remaining pound, then slice the remainder.
• Stir 1 tablespoon granulated sugar together in a bowl with the elderflower liqueur until the sugar dissolves. Toss with the diced berries and set aside to macerate at room temperature.
• Place the quartered strawberries in a medium pot and gently stir together with the jam, cornstarch, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and the remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until the strawberries begin to break down and the mixture is thick and jammy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool about 10 minutes, then stir in the reserved macerated berries.
• Pour mixture into the baked crust and allow to chill in the refrigerator until set, at least 3 hours.
• Decorate the top of the pie with the sliced berries in concentric circles. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Whip the cream along with the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and cream of tartar until it holds medium stiff peaks. Serve alongside the pie.

EASY STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Bring sugar, water and cornstarch to a boil over medium heat.
• Cook stirring constantly for 1 minute or until thickened.
• Stir in strawberry gelatin until dissolved.
• Remove from heat; chill 2 hours.
• Arrange strawberries in pastry shell and pour gelatin mixture over.
• Cover and chill 2-4 hours.
• Serve pie with whipped cream if desired.

STRAWBERRY ICEBOX PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, blend graham crackers with 2 tablespoons sugar until finely ground; add butter and pulse until crumbs are moistened. Press mixture into the bottom and up the side of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake until crust is lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine 3/4 cup sugar, cranberry juice, 2 cups strawberries, cornstarch, and salt. Using a potato masher, gently mash strawberries. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until very thick, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in remaining strawberries. Pour into cooled pie crust. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours (or up to 1 day).
• In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sugar over cream and continue to beat until soft peaks return (do not overbeat). Spread whipped cream over pie, leaving a 1 1/2-inch border around edge. Garnish with whole berries.

ELEGANT LIGHT STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Bake pie shells according to package directions for a pie that will have refrigerated filling.
• In saucepan mix cornstarch, gelatin mix, pudding mix and sugar.
• Add 1 cup water and 1 cup milk, stirring to wet the dry ingredients.
• Add cream cheese, cut into chunks, and cook on low, stirring with whisk until cream cheese melts and sauce is slightly thickened.
• Remove pot from heat and stir in remaining cup of milk, stirring with a whisk to blend well.
• Pour 1/4 of sauce into each pie shell; cover with 1/4 of sliced strawberries, pressing the berries into the sauce.
• Repeat procedure making a second layer of sauce in each pie shell, ending with strawberries on top.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill until pies are set- several hours.
• Just before serving, top each slice with a little fat-free non-dairy topping and one whole strawberry for garnish.
• NOTE: This can be made with raspberry gelatin mix and fresh raspberries.
• I've even made it with peach gelatin and fresh peaches (dipped in lemon juice to prevent discoloration), and drained.

FLUFFY STRAWBERRY MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Fold in the crackers, pecans and vanilla.
• Spread onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 10-inch deep dish pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. cool on wire rack.
• Set aside one strawberry for garnish. Slice half of the strawberries; set aside. In a bowl, mash the remaining strawberries; drain juice reserving 1/2 cup. In a saucepan, combine marshmallows and reserved juice. Cook and stir over low heat until marshmallows are melted. Refrigerate until partially set.
• Fold the sliced and mashed strawberries and whipped topping into marshmallow mixture. Add food coloring if desired. Spoon into meringue shell. Garnish with the reserved strawberry. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until set. Refrigerate leftovers.

LIGHT STRAWBERRY GELATIN PIE

Steps:

• Set aside four whole berries for garnish. Slice remaining strawberries and set aside. In a large saucepan, combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Remove from the heat; stir in gelatin and sugar until dissolved. Stir in sliced strawberries. Pour into the crust. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm., Cut reserved strawberries in half. Garnish each serving with whipped topping and a berry half.