Forgotten Cookies aka Chocolate Chip Meringues

Adapted from recipes by Emeril Lagasse and Rebecca Hertzman

Ingredients

2 large egg whites, at room temperature (3 Tbsp egg white)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2/3 cup superfine granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
{ EITHER 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
{ OR 1.5 cup semisweet chocolate chips (if not using nuts)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

In the small bowl of an electric mixer, beat egg whites until foamy (should be about 5 minutes). Add the cream of tartar and beat until fluffy but not at all dry. (Be careful not to over beat.)

Add the sugar gradually, about 3 tablespoons at a time. When 1/2 of the sugar has been added, add the vanilla extract.

Continue beating and adding remaining sugar in batches, until all of the sugar is dissolved and the meringue is very shiny and tight.

Gently fold in the chocolate chips (and chopped nuts).

Working one teaspoon at a time, push a teaspoonful of meringue from the tip of 1 teaspoon with the back of another teaspoon onto the lined baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between cookies.

Place baking sheets in the preheated oven and turn the oven off. Leave the cookies (undisturbed) in the oven for at least 2 hours and up to overnight, or until cookies are crisp and dry.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Per cookie: Calories: 44; Total Fat: 2.5 grams; Saturated Fat:0.5 grams; Protein: 1 gram; Total carbohydrates: 5 grams; Sugar: 5 grams; Fiber: 0 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 3 milligrams