Chocolate Cream and Strawberry Pie

This great chilled pie for summer combines delicious chocolate and fresh strawberries for a knockout dessert. It's a perfect recipe to make ahead of time for a picnic or cookout or summer special occasion.

Hands-On Time: 15 minutes
Ready In: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

12 ounces chocolate chips
1 cup milk -- any fat content
1 large egg
1 9 inch pie crust
1 quart fresh strawberries washed and hulled
1/4 cup strawberry jelly or preserves
1 Tablespoon water

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Combine chocolate chips and milk in a heavy saucepan. Heat on low setting until chips begin to melt. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat.
3. Beat egg and add 1/4 cup of hot chocolate mixture to egg. Stir quickly so the egg does not cook.
4. Add egg and chocolate to the first mixture and blend well.
5. Pour chocolate into pie crust and bake for 25 minutes, or until center is lightly set.
6. Chill pie for 30 minutes.
7. Top pie with strawberries -- points up.
8. Combine strawberry preserves with water and stir until smooth. Brush or drizzle over strawberries.
9. Chill until serving time.