Strawberry Mile High Pie.......for Valentine's

An Ambrosial Delight


This is a Dyer Family favorite, thanks to my Aunt Camille.  Not only is this dessert fluffy pink heavenly goodness, it has been in our memories forever.  We've never taken it for granted because when Camille cooks, we know that culinary bliss is to be experienced.  Get the point, she is a cooking genius that creates comfort foods at a five star level.
So, recently Reagan and I were craving her Strawberry Mile High Pie, a fluffy pink heavenly goodness.   We graced the Valentine table with its tantalizing, fruity beauty.
Here it is:  Oh, Aunt Camille credits The Caldron Cook Book for this delicacy (a side note).

First make the crust:  This crust is NOT a store bought situation, it is homemade and worth it.  Don't buy a plastic wrapped imitation...........EVER.
Joel made the crust for me.  He was in the middle of making the chili for our Valentine dinner and wanted to help out with this piece of goodness............he LOVES strawberries!!!
In a baking pan Joel mixed 1/2 cup of melted butter with 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 cup of flour.
He then pressed it down to fit the pan (about 1/4" thickness).  He baked it for 15 minutes or so at 375.

After it had cooled he crumbled it all up.  (his hands were clean, ......I think)

Then with a little more than 1/2 of it, he pressed it into my spring form pan.  Not the sides, just the bottom.

Crunchy goodness, for sure!!!  Now, set that aside.

Put the following in your mixer bowl.

2 cups of frozen/thawing strawberries (I had close to 3 cups and used them all)

1/2 cup sugar

1 T of lemon juice (I think I used a little more)

1/8 t of salt ( I have nothing that small, so I'm sure it was 1/4, in the palm of my hand kinda thing)

2 egg whites (now, the Dyer chickens lay some medium and some large eggs.  So, I used 3 medium egg whites)  ((especially since I used more strawberries))  (((Sorry, Aunt Camille, going off the recipe here)))

Now, put the wire whipper attachment on and let it whip!!!  For 20 minutes.  Did you read that??  20 minutes!!!

Right away those egg whites started fluffing into goodness

RED is for LOVERS 

Each of us around the mixer hovers....(sorry)

We had fun cleaning the dishes and watching the goodness fluff a mile high............

The color started to lighten as it rose to the top of the bowl

Oh look at that cloud of pink sumptuous BLISS!!!
After 20 minutes it was a mile high.  We (all of us were in the kitchen watching this baby grow) put this pink cloud in another bowl.

What a satisfying, gratifying feeling when you transfer fluff without it DE-fluffing, if you know what I mean.
Then for the final 3rd step, as if this pink cloud of puff wasn't enough to stimulate the taste buds.
Back into the mixing bowl put
1 cup of cold whipping cream (my grandmother always said COLD, as if it wouldn't be out of the fridge.  She would even freeze the mixing bowl.........)

1/4 cup of powdered sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Beat this into another white cloud of delight, but not too stiff.  Mine might have been a tad too stiff.  If too stiff, it won't mix in completely with the other.  (Don't worry, it is still to die for.....)
Fold the white cloud in with the pink cloud of goodness.

The kids were clamoring to lick any utensil I was using.
Then pour the united creams of ambrosial goodness into the spring form pan.

Finally sprinkle the remaining crumbled crust on top.

Put this in the freezer.  It's great because you can make it days ahead of its intended use of pleasing the sensory.  Before serving, remove the outer ring and put the bottom on a pretty plate.
I just can't get enough of its prettiness.......and its ease to please.  A mile high of strawberry delight!!!

Thank you Aunt Camille.