Make this luscious pie at the height of strawberry season to ensure the best flavor.

Makes 8 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 6 hours (includes chilling time)

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

Filling
2 1/2 pints fresh strawberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 cup water
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin

Crust
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
3 tablespoons low-fat milk

1. To make filling: Choose 2 cups of strawberries as close to the same size as possible; hull and set aside. Hull and dice the remaining berries.
2. Mix the diced berries, 3/4 cup sugar and lemon juice in a bowl. Let stand for 20 minutes. Drain the berries well in a sieve set over a medium saucepan. Return the berries to the bowl and set aside.
3. Add water and gelatin to strawberry liquid in the saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring, until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir into reserved diced berries. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until filling has thickened slightly and mounds when dropped from a spoon, 3 to 4 hours.
4. To make crust: Preheat oven to 350°F.
5. Stir together flour, cornmeal, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt In a large bowl. Cut butter into dry ingredients using a pastry cutter, 2 forks or your fingers until crumbly. Stir in milk with a fork, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until dough comes together.
6. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead 7 to 8 times. Roll out into an 11-inch circle with a floured rolling pin. Drape dough over rolling pin and fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Fold edges under and crimp with the tines of a fork.
7. Prick bottom of crust with a fork and line with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Fill with pie weights (or use rice or dried beans). Bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and weights and bake until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes more. Place on a wire rack to cool.
8. To assemble pie: Arrange reserved whole berries, pointed ends up, in crust. Spoon filling over whole berries. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours, before slicing.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 184 calories; 3 g fat (2 g sat, 0 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrate; 2 g protein; 2 g fiber; 116 mg sodium; 159 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (96% daily value).
2 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings

Excellent-very refreshing on a hot summer day. Easy to make and delicious. We make this all the time in strawberry season.

Aegir, Betehsda, MD