Everything is great about this Pie.

Easy.
Probably not too bad for you.
Soo Delicious. (so worth whatever calories)

(sorry for the crappy iphone pic)

Strawberry Pie with Balsamic Glaze.

Now I kind of combined a couple recipes and ended up having to make a few alterations because I was not going to go to the third store to find mascarpone cheese, so I made it work with what was in the fridge and again I must say it is delicious. (next time hopefully I can try the macsarpone)

Here is the recipe that I started with and followed most closely:

A pre-made graham cracker pie crust

2 lbs. fresh strawberries (sliced or quartered)

1/2 cup regular sugar

zest of 1 orange

1/2 a small lemon juiced

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

8 oz. mascarpone cheese

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Mix well with the regular sugar, orange zest and half the lemon juice. Set aside for 30 minutes.

Whip the whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and remaining lemon juice, with an electric mixer. Once it’s good and whipped, add in the mascarpone cheese and whip again just until it’s well blended.

--This is the part where I strayed. I used organic vanilla yogurt, sour cream, whipping cream and powdered sugar. I don't have measurements because I was just working to get the consistency right.

Spread the mascarpone mixture evenly into the pie crust. Now stick it in the refrigerator.

Your 30 minutes should almost be up now. Strain the juice from the strawberries into a saucepan. Put the strained strawberries on top of the pie and put it back into the refrigerator. Add the balsamic vinegar to the strawberry juices and boil it until it becomes a syrup. Take a pastry brush and brush the syrup over the strawberries until they are all glazed. You may not use all the syrup. Put that pie back in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

The orange zest and lemon juice make it fresh. You can't go wrong with strawberries and the balsamic vinegar adds the perfect flavor.

Summer Challenge

While I do still hope to be satisfied with my "swimsuit body" this summer, there are two things I plan to do that might make that a little more of a challenge: cooking and eating. More adventurously. I want to cook things I haven't cooked and eat at places I don't usually eat.
Keller's Drive-in is one eatery on my list is one that I have been to, but it has been ages. I didn't provide the link because it is the kind of local goodness that doesn't have a website. Unfortunately, I have a horrible memory so I can't sit here and tell you I remember the burgers are great and they have the best fries in town. The thing I do remember is sitting in the back of the car and enjoying the atmosphere (it's an old drive in, nothing fancy).
As far as cooking goes, who knows where I will start there. That's always the tough part for me. I always want to make desserts, but that's not always the smartest option. I've been reading tons of food blogs lately (and welcome any suggestions). I will let you know where it leads. Adventure is the key.