Ingredients

6 egg whites
teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Fresh fruit or fruit and whipped cream filling of choice

Directions

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are glossy and stand in stiff peaks. Beat in vanilla.

On wax-paper covered baking sheet spread about one-half the meringue in two circles, about 8 inches in diameter. Using remaining meringue, form nests around each circle with back of a spoon or a pastry tube, building a rim on each circle about 1 1/2-inches high. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off oven. Leave meringues in oven with door closed for 1 hour. Remove from oven and cool completely. Fill each shell with about 2 cups desired filling. Makes 12 servings.

Each serving, with 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, contains 114 calories; 0 gm fat; 34 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol.