Fresh Strawberry Pie

1 quart strawberries
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 or 3 tbs. cornstarch
2 tbs. lemon juice
1 baked pie shell
1/2 pint whipping cream (optional)
red food coloring (optional)

Wash berries and hull. Put one half of berries in sauce pan and crush.
Mix sugar and cornstarch; add to crushed berries along with lemon juice.
Cook on medium heat until mixture thickens. Cool.

Cut remaining berries into halves and mix with the cooked mixture.
Add a few drops of red food coloring to the cooked mixture before
adding the uncooked berries.
Pour mixture into baked pie shell. Chill before serving.
Serve topped with whipped cream.