Wanda's Not for Vegans Grapefruit Pie

Have you ever wondered what to do with that box of grapefruit an uncle or sister sends you from Florida over the winter holidays? You enjoy all you can for breakfast, but sometimes, there are a few too many. Well, wonder no more. This is an unusual, but delicious way to use them, which is what Wanda Gray pie baker extraordinare likes to do whenever she can. Grapefruit pie is a taste of summer sunshine in winter's gloomiest months, but of course, it's good whenever you can get fresh grapefruit.

When Wanda makes this pie for her new friends at Happiness Key, she neglects to tell vegetarian Janya that the pie contains both lard in the crust and gelatin in the filling. Of course Janya is not happy. So be forewarned. Making a good crust without lard is easy, but strawberry gelatin is key to this recipe. Make sure you learn from Wanda's mistake and serve something else to your vegan friends.

1 9" pie shell.

2 to 4 pink grapefruit yielding approximately 3-4 cups of fresh grapefruit sections

½ cup sugar

1 T cornstarch

3/4s cup grapefruit juice from the drained grapefruit-supplement with water or commercial juice if you don't have enough

1 3 oz. package of strawberry gelatin

Whipped cream

Bake your pie shell, using your favorite recipe or a brand you like from the dairy aisle of your grocery store. Set aside to cool.

Peel grapefruit (see note at end for the easiest and most foolproof way to accomplish this) and remove all membrane and pith. Set grapefruit sections in a strainer over a bowl and allow to drain for at least 4 hours. Reserve the juice for the next step.

Combine sugar, cornstarch and juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, add strawberry gelatin and set aside about five minutes to cool but NOT set.

Place grapefruit sections in the bottom of your baked pie crust and pour gelatin mixture over it. Chill and serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Serves 8

**Tips for sectioning grapefruit: Carefully peel the grapefruit. Emilie gently slices the skin in quarters to make this easier. Then with a sharp knife, preferably serrated, remove all membrane (pith) from the outside of the grapefruit. Don't be afraid to cut away a bit of the grapefruit in your quest. Finally remove the sections by inserting your knife along one inner membrane, slicing just to the center, then popping out the first grapefruit section. Insert your knife along the inside edge of the next membrane and flip the membrane and pop out the next section. Once the outer peel and membrane is completely stripped away, removing sections is easy. If you take care with this part, your pie won't be the least bit bitter.