Choco-Nut Meringues - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 large egg whites (at room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 c. sugar
food color (optional)
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. mini semi-sweet or mint chocolate chips

Preparation

Preheat oven to 275\u00b0.
Grease baking sheets; set aside.
In a large mixer bowl at high speed, beat the egg whites, vanilla, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form.
Add sugar and, if desired, a few drops of food color.
Beat until very stiff and glossy and sugar is almost dissolved.
By hand, fold in pecans and chips.
Drop by well rounded teaspoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until set and dry to the touch.
Cool cookies on baking sheets for 1 minute.
Carefully transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.
Store loosely covered. Makes about 5 dozen.