• 2

  lbs strawberries
• 1

  cup sugar (to taste)
• 1

  quart water
• ¹⁄₃

  cup cornstarch (if you like your pudding very stiff, use 1/2 cup)
• ¹⁄₂

  teaspoon vanilla (optional)
• ¹⁄₂

  teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Clean and rinse berries. If they are large cut in halves or quarters.
• Bring water to a boil over medium heat. Add sugar and strawberries and simmer until berries are tender, about 8 minutes. You will still have lumps of berries. If you want a smooth consitency, break the fruit up by pushing the berries with the back of a spoon on the side of the pan.
• Dissolve cornstach in a little water and add to fruit, stirring constantly. Add vanilla or zest if desired (one or the other not both).
• Bring to rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue stirring and allow pudding to boil a few minutes. The pudding should no longer be cloudy and regain its shine and gloss.
• Transfer to a bowl and place in the refrigerator until thouroughly cool. Depending on the bowl size and shape, this could take several hours.
• If you are planning to substitute part of the sugar (would not suggest all) with baking Splenda, add the splenda to the bowl just before cooling.
• Optional serving ideas: Top with whipped cream, Cool Whip or vanilla yogurt. Chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa are also nice.