Haussner's Inspired Strawberry Pie

Directions

1. Pie Crust - Adapted from the Bouchon Cookbook
2. Make the dough a day ahead. Place 1 cup flour and salt in standing mixer with dough hook attachment, turn on low and add the butter a handful at a time, in about 4 batches, increase to medium speed and when butter is incorporated, stop machine, scrape down sides or dislodge dough from mixing arm, turn on low again and slowly add in remaining flour, followed by the water, mix until just incorporated. Remove and divide in to two, wrap one disk in plastic wrap and freeze for later use. Return the other half to the mixer and add in the ground almonds, turn on low until incorporated. Shape in to a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
3. Roll it out on floured surface to about 12” in diameter. Place in a pie pan, top with parchment or aluminum foil and place pie weights or dried beans on top. Bake at 350 in the center of the oven for 45 minutes or until lightly browned at the edges. Place on a wire rack and cool completely.

1. Filling - Pastry Cream + Whipped Cream + Strawberry Topping
2. Make the Pastry Cream. This can also be done a day ahead. Scald the milk in a sauce pan, set aside. Meanwhile whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Temper the egg yolk mixture by slowly adding the milk, whisking until incorporated. Return the mixture to the sauce pan and working over a medium heat continue to whisk. The mixture will begin to thicken, it may look lumpy, keep whisking. I found my mixture to be done when it had a pudding like consistency and appeared to ‘breathe’ when I stopped whisking it for a moment. Remove from heat. Add in 2 tbs. vanilla and butter and stir to incorporate. Cover the surface with buttered wax paper. Allow to cool to room temperature before putting in the fridge.
3. Using a hand mixer make the whipped cream by combining the cream and 1 tbs. vanilla.
4. Once the pastry cream and pie shell have cooled spread the pastry cream in to the bottom of the pie shell with a spatula. Top the pastry cream with the strawberries. Microwave the preserves for about 30 seconds. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the preserves on to the strawberries. Let cool in the fridge for a couple hours. When ready to serve, pipe the whipped cream around the outer edge of the pie and sprinkle with the almond slivers.