meringues

Meringues
makes about 20

2 egg whites, preferably at room temperature
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 225 F.
Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they are foamy. Add the cream of tartar and salt to the whites. With the electric mixer set on high speed, beat the whites until they stand in soft peaks.
Very slowly, beat in the sugar. Continue beating until the whites stand in stiff peaks. Add the vanilla, and beat until just blended.
Drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls, or pipe it, onto wax paper, then place in the oven. Bake the meringues for about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from wax paper.