Macaroons

Almost ready for bed, and then . . . the sweet urge hit. I have no flour in the house (trying to cut back on baking all the fattening goodies I devour too often), but dug around the pantry anyway, hoping for something besides a rice cake and jam. Found sugar, half a bag of shredded coconut, vanilla, cream of tartar . . . and had eggs in the fridge.

Five minutes later, they were in the oven, baking on a sheet of parchment.

Easy.

With an electric mixer, whip 2 egg whites with 1 tsp cream of tartar until stiff. Add (and continuing beating) 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, a pinch of salt, and a cup and a quarter of shredded coconut.

Spoon onto a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake at gas mark 3 (about 325 F) until golden.