Strawberry Pie

Whenever I see strawberries, I am immediately transported back to my youth. The youth that was filled with the four letter word that was gardening. Ok, so it really isn't a four letter word, literally or metaphorically speaking. But when you are young and it is sweltering outside, and there beside you is a sparkling cool pool in which you are not allowed in until you have finished weeding the strawberry patch, it sure seems like it.

Now, I wish I had a strawberry patch to weed in, and yes, I would even implement the same strategy to get my kids to do their fair share of the work. Funny how things change, huh?

There are so many great recipes with strawberries. However, my mom's simple but absolutely yummy strawberry pie is among my favorites. I think it is the cream cheese addition that really puts it over the top. Whenever it is just becoming summer, I have a craving for strawberry pie and weirdly enough, weeding.

Strawberry Pie

1 pie crust (homemade or store bought)

1 cup of sugar, divided

1/2 c water

1 2 lb. carton of strawberries (I usually use a 2 lb one, plus several of another carton)

3 tbs of cornstarch

4 oz. cream cheese ( I usually add a little more, but I like my cream cheese!)

Begin by cooking your crust so it has ample time to cool.

Then go on to cutting up strawberries and placing in pan, keeping 15 -20 for the top. With hands, mush strawberries. Add water and a 1/2 cup of sugar.

In separate bowl, combine remaining sugar (1/2 c) and cornstarch. I usually use pretty heaping tablespoons, but again, that is just me. I like my pie a little thick.

Pour a little of the strawberry mixture into the sugar and cornstarch. Mix until it forms a paste, then return it to the mixture.

Over medium heat, cook until boiling and mixture thickens.

On cooled crust, spread cream cheese. On top of that, pour boiling mixture. You can refrigerate and then add the strawberries to top or if you are impatient like me, just add them right away. I have found it doesn't make too much of a difference. Refrigerate for a little while, just to settle the pie. You can always add a little whipped cream to make it extra special!