Sky High Strawberry Pie

3 quarts fresh strawberries, divided

1 1/2 cups sugar

6 tbsp cornstarch

2/3 cups water

Ref food coloring, optional

1 deep dish pastry shell (10 inches) baked

1 cup whipping cream

1 1/2 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix

In a large bowl, mash enough berries to equal 3 cups. In a saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Stir in the mashed berries and water; mix well.

Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.

Remove from the hat; add food coloring if desired.

Pour into a large bowl. chill for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture is just slightly warm. Fold in remaining berries.

Pile into pie shell. Chill for 2-3 hours In a small mixing bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form.

Sprinkle pudding mix over cream and whip until stiff. Mound in center of pie, pipe around the edge or dollop on individual slices.

Serves 8-20.