Sospiri -- Delicate Almond Cookies

• 3/4 cup blanched almonds, slivered
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Oil and flour two baking sheets, shaking off the excess flour.
3. Brown almonds on a baking sheet (not one of the floured ones).
4. Once browned, allow to cool and then chop them coarsely.
5. Reduce the heat on the oven to 250F.
6. (Open oven door a crack to speed up the process of cooling it down from 350F) In a large bowl beat egg whites until foamy.
7. Add cream of tartar and salt.
8. Geat until soft peaks form.
9. Gradually add in the sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
10. They should be stiff, but not dry.
11. Gently fold in the chopped almonds.
12. Drop by spoonfuls onto the floured cookie sheets.
13. Bake at 250F for 1-1/2 hours or until firm and golden.
14. Let cool.

blanched almonds, egg whites, cream of tartar, salt, sugar

Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/18024 (may not work)