For an
electric stove or a gas stove without a pilot light, preheat the oven to
200F. Whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and beat
until stiff. Pipe 3-4 inch circles of meringue onto a baking sheet
topped with a sheet of buttered parchment paper. If you have a gas stove
with a pilot light, dry in the oven overnight by using the heat from the
light; if you have an electric stove or a gas stove without a pilot
light, bake the meringues for approximately 90 minutes, taking care that
they do not begin to color, until dried out.
When cool and
dry, pipe whipped cream on top of each meringue and garnish with fresh
strawberry halves. If making the meringues ahead of time, store them in
an airtight container.
Choose
whatever berry is at its peak, but the contrast of strawberries and
snowy meringue is delectable.
