Sky-High Strawberry Pie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 quarts strawberries, divided
1 1/2 c sugar
6 Tbsp cornstarch
2/3 c water
Red food coloring-optional
1 deep dish 10 inch pie shell baked and cooled
1 c heavy cream
1 1/2 Tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix

Preparation

In a large bowl, mash enough berries to equal 3 cups.
In a saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch.
Stir in mashed berries and water, mix well.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, cook and stir for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat, add food coloring if desired.
Pour into a large bowl.
Fold in remaining berries, pile into shell.
Chill for 2 to 3 hours. In a small mixing bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Sprinkle pudding mix over cream and beat until stiff.
Pipe around edge of pie or dollop on each slice.