Fresh Strawberry Pie

A few weeks ago, an older gentleman in my home church by the name of Lee Phelps passed away.  Although the loss of the special people in our lives is always painful, it provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect and celebrate the life they lived.  Lee's life was a life of service and love:  Service to his God, his country, his community, and his church, and love towards his friends, family, and especially his devoted wife Ruth.  The relationship shared between Ruth and Lee was a shining example of what marriage, for better or for worse, in sickness or in health is all about.  Serving God together they touched many lives.  The difference they made in the world around them is a testimony to their faith and steadfast devotion to each other.

It was in this frame of mind, while thinking about Ruth and Lee, that I noticed the carton of strawberries in my refrigerator and recalled the recipe for "Fresh Strawberry Pie - Mmm - good" that Ruth had given me at my bridal shower.  So, as a tribute I decided to try the recipe that Ruth and Lee had shared together so many times.  The results were a quick and easy dessert that is wonderful and refreshing for hot spring and summer days.  Hubby Nathan had no difficulty deeming it his new favorite kind of pie.  It is certainly one that will stay at the front of my recipe collection!

Fresh Strawberry Pie
From the Kitchen of Ruth Phelps

Ingredients:
1-pie shell, baked*
Fresh strawberries to fill (about 1 lb., or roughly 1/2 to 3/4 of a carton)
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
3 T. strawberry Jello (or just use 1 pkg.)
1 c. water

Directions:
Mix together sugar, cornstarch, Jello and water in a medium saucepan.  Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a rolling boil; boil 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and cool.  Add sliced strawberries.  Pour into the pie shell and chill (about 3 hours) until set.  Serve with a dollop of whipped topping!

Notes:

*You can buy a pie shell, or bake one using your favorite pie crust recipe.  In the essence of time, I mixed 1 pkg. of ground up graham crackers (about 1 1/2 cups) with 5 tablespoons of melted butter, pressed it into a pie pan, and baked in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.  The pie tastes delicious with either kind of crust!

The end result is a very smooth, almost creamy, cool dessert that tastes light and refreshing.  The simplicity and success of this recipe makes me think it could be easily duplicated with other forms of fresh fruit and Jello.  Consider the possibilities of substituting fresh peach slices and peach Jello, or even fresh cherries with cherry Jello!

My next objective is discover a way to make the pie sugar free.  While I have not tested it using sugar-free Jello yet, I am unsure how it will turn out.  This is due to the fact that you actually heat the filling to a rolling boil.  Aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in sugar-free Jello, is not heat stable, which means it will break down if it gets too hot and just result in a nasty, bitter taste.  If sugar-free Jello fails, then my next option is to try using juice, unflavored gelatin, and Splenda (which is heat stable) to try to achieve a similar effect.  After that, all I will need to do is conjure up a gluten-free pie crust and I will have the perfect dessert to take to family get-togethers.

Ruth's Fresh Strawberry Pie...try it, and let me know how you like it!

The Cry From the Cross

Upon the cross of Calvary, my precious Savior died for me,
And for my sin he shed his blood; payed it all and prayed to God...

Father, please forgive them, they know not what they do.
I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to you.
Turn your wrath upon me Lord, your one and only Son;
Please forgive them, they know not what they've done.

All the sin the Savior bore, 'til even God, could look no more.
The sins of future, now and past; He paid it all and breathed his last...

Father, please forgive them, they know not what they do.

I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to you.

Turn your wrath upon me Lord, your one and only Son;

Please forgive them, they know not what they've done.

But the grave could not hold Him,
For He who knew no sin,
Has died and rose again
HE IS ALIVE!
And he stand before the King of Kings and cries...

Father, please forgive them, they know not what they do.

I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to you.

Turn your wrath upon me Lord, your one and only Son;

Please forgive them, they know not what they've done.

Please forgive them...

They know not what they've done.

~Big Tent Revival