Strawberry Pie Supreme 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.

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.

OUR FAVORITE FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

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.

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 tablespoons 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 pie pan. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Set aside 1 strawberry for garnish.
• Slice half the strawberries and 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. Spoon into meringue shell. Garnish with reserved strawberry.
• Refrigerate for 3 hours or until set.

SUPREME STRAWBERRY TOPPING

Steps:

• Wash strawberries and remove stems; cut large berries in half or roughly chop them.
• Combine strawberries, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. The mixture will sizzle for a while, but then juice will begin to form. Continue stirring; mash a few strawberries with a wooden spoon or heat-proof spatula to help produce the syrup. Cook until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat. In a blender, puree about 1/3 of the sauce, then mix back into remaining topping. Store in refrigerator.