This is a family recipe from my VaVoa (Portuguese grandmother). Our family always decorated them with the little silver BB candies. Save your egg yolks for the Arroz Doce! Espiros means 'sighs' in Portuguese.
INGREDIENTS (for 2 servings):
- 3 egg whites
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large glass bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar until firm peaks form. Fold in lemon zest, salt, cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla. Spoon in mounded tablespoonfuls onto the cookie sheet.
Place cookie sheet into oven and reduce temperature to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Cook 1 hour. Turn off oven and allow to dry 8 hours, or overnight.