Mom's Strawberry Pie

Step 1: Strawberries: Wash and halve strawberries. Whisk together sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Add water a little at a time, whisking to ensure no lumps.

Step 2: Add lemon juice and red food coloring, cooking over medium heat until mixture clears and starts to thicken, stirring frequently.

Step 3: Add half of strawberries and continue to cook until mixture thickens, only a minute or two. Remove from heat and add remaining strawberries. Pour into a bowl to cool at room temperature. Cool completely before topping pie.

Step 4: Filling: When pie crust has cooled completely, whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form.

Step 5: In separate mixer bowl, cream the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt. Fold the whipped cream in until completely incorporated. (I do this very carefully with lowest setting on kitchenaid mixer.) Spread in pie shell, being careful not to overfill. Leave room for the strawberries so they won't spill over crust.

Step 6: Once strawberries have cooled, spread them over cream mixture. Chill pie.