Choco-Nut Meringues
["2 large egg whites (at room temperature)", "1 tsp. vanilla extract", "1/4 tsp. cream of tartar", "1/4 tsp. salt", "2/3 c. sugar", "food color (optional)", "1 c. chopped pecans", "1 c. mini semi-sweet or mint chocolate chips"]
["Preheat oven to 275\u00b0.", "Grease baking sheets; set aside.", "In a large mixer bowl at high speed, beat the egg whites, vanilla, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form.", "Add sugar and, if desired, a few drops of food color.", "Beat until very stiff and glossy and sugar is almost dissolved.", "By hand, fold in pecans and chips.", "Drop by well rounded teaspoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto baking sheets.", "Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until set and dry to the touch.", "Cool cookies on baking sheets for 1 minute.", "Carefully transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.", "Store loosely covered. Makes about 5 dozen."]
["egg whites", "vanilla extract", "cream of tartar", "salt", "sugar", "food color", "pecans", "semi-sweet"]