Strawberry Pie

[Butterbean]

Strawberry Pie

1 Qt. ripe strawberries
1 9” pre-baked pie shell
3 oz. cream cheese, softened (or mascarpone)
1 cup sugar (or less, if the berries are local & sweet)
3 Tbs cornstarch
pinch salt

Spread cream cheese in an even layer in the cooled pie shell & set aside.

Prepare strawberries: Wash & stem the strawberries; if small, place half of the nicer berries in a single layer in the pie shell (if berries are large, use the top half. With the other half of the berries, slice them roughly into a sauce pan. Add the sugar, salt & cornstarch. Stir the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a boil and thickens. Cool the mixture to room temperature and pour into the pie shell. Cover and chill.

Serve plain or garnish with whipped cream.