Fresh Strawberry Pie(ATK)

Coppercloud's Note:

Make certain that you use Sure-Jell engineered for low- or no-sugar recipes (packaged in a pink box) and not regular Sure-Jell (in a yellow box); otherwise, the glaze will not set properly. The pie is at its best after two or three hours of chilling; as it continues to chill, the glaze becomes softer and wetter, though the pie will taste just as good.**I have made this and it is very easy. Not too sugar sweet. This recipe is best when the strawberries are at the peak of the season for your area. Cooking time includes chill time.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 33 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hrs 3 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8-10

Yield: 1.0 pie

Filling

• 4 pints fresh strawberries, gently rinsed and dried, hulled (about 3 pounds)
• 3/4 cup sugar (5 1/4 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Sure-Jell, for low-sugar recipes (see note)
• generous pinch table salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (1 lemon)
• 1 baked pie shell

Whipped Cream

• 1 cup heavy cream, cold
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:

1. FOR THE FILLING: Select 6 ounces misshapen, underripe, or otherwise unattractive berries, halving those that are large; you should have about 1½ cups. In food processor, process berries to smooth puree, 20 to 30 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed. You should have about ¾ cup puree.
2. Whisk sugar, cornstarch, Sure-Jell, and salt in medium saucepan. Stir in berry puree, making sure to scrape corners of pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with heatproof rubber spatula, and bring to full boil. Boil, scraping bottom and sides of pan to prevent scorching, for 2 minutes to ensure that cornstarch is fully cooked (mixture will appear frothy when it first reaches boil, then will darken and thicken with further cooking). Transfer to large bowl and stir in lemon juice. Let cool to room temperature.
3. Meanwhile, pick over remaining berries and measure out 2 pounds of most attractive ones; halve only extra-large berries. Add berries to bowl with glaze and fold gently with rubber spatula until berries are evenly coated. Scoop berries into pie shell, piling into mound. If any cut sides face up on top, turn them face down. If necessary, rearrange berries so that holes are filled and mound looks attractive. Refrigerate pie until chilled, about 2 hours. Serve within 5 hours of chilling.
4. FOR THE WHIPPED CREAM: Just before serving, beat cream and sugar with electric mixer on low speed until small bubbles form, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; continue beating until beaters leave trail, about 30 additional seconds. Increase speed to high; continue beating until cream is smooth, thick, and nearly doubled in volume and forms soft peaks, 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Cut pie into wedges. Serve with whipped cream.