Meringue Shells - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 egg whites, at room temperature
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Preparation

Early in the day, or up to 5 hours ahead, preheat oven to 200\u00b0.
Have egg whites at room temperature.
In small bowl, beat egg whites at highest speed with cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
Gradually sprinkle in sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating after each addition for about 2 minutes, or until sugar is completely dissolved.
To test, rub meringue between fingers.
If grainy, continue beating.
It takes about 15 minutes to beat in all sugar.
Add vanilla and continue beating at high speed until mixture stands in stiff, glossy peaks.
Put into pie plate, smoothing it at the center and piling it high on the sides to form a shell.
Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes.