An old-fashioned fruit pie like this should be eaten outdoors when the sun is shining bright. Next time you are firing up the barbecue or packing a picnic basket, be sure to have one of these pies made up in your fridge. Fresh strawberries, cool gelatin, and a flaky piecrust combine to make this both a spring and summertime classic.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- Paula’s New Flaky Piecrust (see page 325 of Paula Deen Cuts the Fat) or one 9-inch unbaked prepared piecrust
- 1 package (0.3 ounce) sugar-free strawberry gelatin
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries
Directions
- Dust a work surface with a small handful of flour. Roll the dough into a 12-inch round about 1⁄4 inch thick. Use it to line a 9-inch pie plate, folding over the excess edges of the dough and crimping them if you like. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or up to overnight (cover lightly with plastic wrap if chilling for more than 2 hours). Skip this step if you are using a prepared piecrust.
- When you are ready to bake the pie, preheat the oven to 375 °F.
- Use a fork to prick the bottom of the pie a couple times. Line the dough up the sides with parchment paper or aluminum foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 °F. Remove the beans or pie weights and the paper or foil, return to the oven, and bake for 5 minutes. Remove the piecrust and let it cool.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the gelatin and cornstarch. Whisk in the water and bring to a simmer. Whisk continuously for about 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan. Once the mixture has thickened, pour it into a medium bowl and continue to whisk for 1 to 2 minutes. Let the mixture cool for 15 minutes, whisking occasionally. The gelatin should be runny.
- Rinse, dry, and hull the strawberries. Place them in a decorative pattern on the bottom of the cooled piecrust. Pour the gelatin over the berries and place the pie in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour. Once the pie is set, slice and serve.
Serves 8 to 10
More about Paula Deen Cuts the Fat, 250 Recipes All Lightened Up
Paula Deen has lost over 40 pounds and has maintained her weight loss for over two years by swapping out ingredients to reduce fat and calories. Paula’s key to weight loss is moderation and accountability, and one day a week she still enjoys good old southern cooking with biscuits and all. One does not have to give up taste when reducing calories, and these recipes are a testament to that. Paula shares 250 of her favorite recipes lightened up. This brand-new, New York Times best-selling cookbook presents lightened up versions of fifty of her classic southern recipes and presents new recipes that cut the calories but not the delicious taste.
The New-York Times Best-Selling cookbook, Paula Deen Cuts the Fat, 250 Favorite Recipes All Lightened Up, is now available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and your local bookstores!
