Balsamic Strawberry Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
• 2-4 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling:

• 5 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon

For Assembly:

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Turbinado sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Crust:

   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the chilled, cubed butter to the flour mixture.
   • Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
   • Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix with a fork until the dough just begins to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough. If the dough seems too dry, add an additional tablespoon of ice water as needed.
   • Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the filling.

2. Prepare the Filling:

   • In a large bowl, combine the halved strawberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Toss until the strawberries are evenly coated in the mixture. Set aside to macerate while you roll out the crust.

3. Assemble the Pie:

   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pie crust into a circle large enough to fit into a 9-inch pie dish.
   • Carefully transfer the rolled-out crust to the pie dish, gently pressing it into the bottom and up the sides. Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges as desired.
   • Pour the macerated strawberry filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly.

4. Bake the Pie:

   • Brush the edges of the crust with beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for a golden, crispy crust.
   • Place the pie on the lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly and thickened.

5. Cool and Serve:

   • Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before serving.
   • Serve slices of the balsamic strawberry pie warm or at room temperature, optionally topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delightful summer dessert!

6. Enjoy:

   • Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of this balsamic strawberry pie as a delicious treat for any occasion!

Note: You can customize this pie by adding a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper or a dash of balsamic reduction over the top before serving for an extra burst of flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in the filling according to the sweetness of your strawberries and your personal taste preferences.