Makes about 4 dozen

Although these are traditional Christmas cookies for us, they also work well for an afternoon tea, a graduation celebration or a summer dessert.

2 egg whites at room temperature
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Lightly grease cookie sheets.

2. With an electric mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites in a small bowl until the whites are foamy. Add the cream of tartar and salt, and continue beating until soft peaks form. Add the sugar a tablespoon at a time, beating continuously, until the egg whites are stiff, white and glossy. Using a spoon, fold in the chocolate chips.