Wow, this was so so so good!  I have never made a Strawberry Pie before, and Erin, at My Aspergers Girls Adventures, commented how she loved fresh strawberries with Cardamom Sugar.  I had not heard of that before, but thought what a great combo that would be.  This was a marriage made in heaven!  I added Cardamom to the cornstarch to thicken the berries for the pie – such a perfect combination.  Thank you Erin for this wonderful tip!

Before I get onto the Recipe, I just have to say a word about Bette Hagman’s Dream Pie Crust Recipe.  To die for!  Back in the day, before going Gluten Free I could not make a pie crust for love nor, money.  No how, no way.  Now a cake, that was a different story.  Now I struggle with Gluten Free Cakes, but thanks to Bette’s pie crust recipe, no problem.  Seriously, this is a no fail pastry.  Mind you, I have only ever made it using butter, not shortening or lard, so can’t speak for that kind of pastry.  But using butter in this recipe, creates more of a short bread tasting pastry, crisp, light, and fluffy.  If you roll too thin – no problem, just use your hands to “scrunch” up the sides, and roll again.  If you roll to thick, just keep rolling until the right thickness. (I always roll this pie crust between 2 sheets of parchment paper). 

It does not matter how I handle this pastry….it has never failed me.  Also, I only make one crust pies, so I don’t feel too guilty about all of that butter.  Plus the recipe makes enough for two 2 pies, just freeze the other half in plastic wrap.  This always makes me happy, because I know there will be Quiche down the road.  If you were ever afraid to make pastry, trust me, you will love this pastry!  Give it a try….oh I almost forgot…it tastes better than any Gluten Pie Crust I have ever had, friends and family say the same thing – it is a winner! Sadly, the lovely Ms. Hagman is no longer with us, but you can still purchase her cook book The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy at Amazon.com – for that one recipe alone, I think it is well worth it! I did look for a Website or a Bette Hagman Recipe site, but did not find any, but maybe with further searching, it could be found.

1 pre-made pie crust
4 cups sliced Organic Strawberries, sliced and then mashed (but keep on the chunky side)
5  Tblsp. Agave – or sugar to taste
1 tsp. Organic Vanilla (or real vanilla extract)
3-4 Tblsp. Cornstarch
1-2 rounded tsp. Cardamom (taste - mine was probably in the cupboard a while, fresh would be more intense, so add enough according to your taste) enough water to make a thick slurry

Put the mashed strawberries, vanilla, and Agave Nectar into a saucepan, on medium heat, stirring, and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, turn down to low and continue to simmer.  Mix the Cardamom with the cornstarch, and add just enough water to make quite a thick slurry.  Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the strawberries, stirring until thick.  Pour the strawberry mixture into the baked, cooled pie crust, and refrigerate until set.  Serve with whip cream and extra sliced strawberries.  Divine!