A request for meringues...

These are two old photos from when I made meringues and because I was feeling creative decided to swirl in a little food coloring to give them a twist.

This is the recipe (from 'Cook with Jamie') that I always use.
I might as well say right off that I am a big fan of Jamie Oliver!

Ingredients:
(serves 6-8)

6 large free range or organic egg whites
300g/ 10 1/2 oz caster sugar
a pinch of salt

Method:

Preheat the oven to 150 C/ 300 F. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Put your egg whites into a bowl, making sure there are no pieces of egg yolk or shell in them. Whisk on medium until the whites form firm peaks. (If you can turn the bowl upside down over your head then you know it's thick enough!)

With the mixer still running, gradually add the sugar and pinch of salt. Turn the mixer up to the highest setting and whisk for about 7 or 8 minutes until the meringue mixture is white and glossy. Dip your finger in the meringue and rub the mixture between your thumb and index finger. It should feel perfectly smooth. If not, whisk a little longer, keeping an eye on the meringue to make sure it doesn't collapse.

At this point, you can fold in a flavor (or drop of food coloring!) for example;

a pinch of saffron
zest of 2 oranges
ground pistachio nuts
zest of 3 lemons
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon mixed spice

Spoon the meringue mixture onto the prepared baking tray in several small blobs, leaving space between them. Dab them with the bottom of your spoon to create a wispy top. Place the tray into the oven for about an hour, until the meringues are crisp on the outside and chewy/ a little gooey in the middle.

Enjoy!