Homemade Strawberry Filling

Making and Finishing a homemade pie gives one a wonderful satisfaction and accomplished feeling. 

But how much more better will one feel if they made the filling themselves?

I know how tempting the can of filling can be, I know. 
But if you take a look at the ingredients, it may change your mind--if your healthful-minded foodie like me: high fructose corn syrup,  artificial flavoring and preservatives, and worst of all...well maybe just for me since I am extremely allergic to it....RED DYE 40. 

But I can hear some of your cries:

 "but that must take so long"

"The can is so temping!"

Good news.

Have 15 min?

Filling Done. 

 Yup. 

So make it, and feel REALLY AWESOME afterward. 

Recipe curtousy of Allrecipes.com-visit this site to adjust the serving size. 

 The following recipe is an approx equivalent to a 21 oz can of filling.

 

Ingredients: 

3/4 cup mashed strawberries

1/2 cup +1 tbs water

1/2 cup sugar 

2 tbs +3/4 tsp cornstarch 

2 1/4 tsp lemon juice

1/8 tsp salt

3 cup sliced strawberries 

Directions:  

Slice 3 cups strawberries, Set aside.

Mash 3/4 cup of strawberries in a small bowl.

  

Place 3/4 cup water and mashed strawberries in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 3 min. 

Strain mashed strawberries from generated juice and add enough water to make 1 cup of juice; toss mashed strawberries.

Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt, lemon juice, and generated strawberry juice into the small sauce pan, bring to a boil and then stir constantly for 3-5 min until sauce is thick and clear--(by clear I mean sugar and cornstarch completely melted).

Remove from heat and let cool for 2 min. 

Mix in sliced strawberries.

Use as a pie filling or for this wonderful Strawberry Cream Pastry Bake!

ENJOY!!!!