Fresh Strawberry Pie - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 quarts strawberries, hulled
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
red food coloring, if desired
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 (9 inch) baked pie crusts

Preparation

Mash enough strawberries to measure 1 cup.
Mix sugar and cornstarch in 2-quart saucepan.
Gradually stir in water and mashed strawberries (add 1 or 2 drops food color if deeper red color is desired).
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.
Boil and stir 1 minute; cool.
Beat cream cheese and lemon peel until smooth; spread into baked and cooled pie crust.
Fill crust with remaining strawberries.
Pour cooked strawberry mixture over top.
Refrigerate about 3 hours or until set.
Store covered in refrigerator.