Happy Monday Everyone!
This recipe is inspired from Tia Gorette, and it’s meringue kisses. These were one of the many desserts that always made an appearance at any Portuguese festival or gathering. Meringues can be flavored and topped with fruit, but the way we always prepared and ate them, were simply just as they are, slightly flavored with vanilla. The recipe I’m using is from EasyPortugueseRecipes.com.
Yields: 15 meringues
Ingredients:
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
pinch of salt
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1) Place the egg whites and the cream of tartar in the bowl of a standing mixer. Beat the egg whites on medium speed until the egg whites form soft peaks.
2) Gradually add the granulated sugar, while still beating the egg whites. Continue to beat the egg whites until they have increased in volume and are forming stiff peaks. Sift the powdered sugar together with the salt, then add gradually to the egg whites, continuing to beat, until well mixed.
3) Gently drip the vanilla extract into the meringue.
4) Preheat oven to 200°. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Fit a piping bag with a large star tip, and fill the bag with the meringue.
5) Pipe the meringue into small swirls onto the parchment-lined cookie sheets, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart. Place the cookies in the oven and bake for about 1 hour, checking them every 15 minutes. Once they look crisp and well formed, turn off the heat and let them cool off in the oven for about 2 hours.
6) Serve the suspiros immediately or store them in an airtight container to ensure freshness.
The Five Marias 