Strawberry fields forever

If you, too, believe that the most perfect fruit in the Garden of Eden is the strawberry and the best possible dessert in the whole world is Strawberry Pie, then our time in the sun has arrived!

Hurry, don’t delay one minute longer — within just a few short weeks, those perfect “home-grown” berries will be hard to find, and we’ll have to wait another whole year!

STRAWBERRY TRIUMPH PIE

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 (4-serving) package sugar-free strawberry gelatin

1 (4-serving) package sugar-free vanilla cook-and-serve pudding mix

3/4 cup diet lemon-lime soda pop

1 (6-ounce) purchased shortbread pie crust

1/2 cup reduced-calorie whipped topping.

In a medium bowl, mash 2 cups strawberries with a potato masher. In a medium saucepan, combine dry gelatin, dry pudding mix, soda pop and mashed strawberries. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and just starts to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining 2 cups sliced strawberries. Spoon hot mixture into pie crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. When serving, garnish each piece with 1 tablespoon whipped topping. Makes 8 servings.

Each serving equals: 149 calories, 5 g fat, 2 g protein, 24 g carb., 155 mg sodium, 2 g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat, 1/2 Fruit.Visit JoAnna’s Web site at www.healthyexchanges.com or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 for more information about her “common folk” healthy recipes.