Variation: Nut Meringue

Directions

1. 1
   Before making the meringue, whirl the almonds in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until finely ground.
2. 2
   Add the cornstarch and whirl again.
3. 3
   Make Meringue.
4. 4
   Fold ground almond mixture into finished meringue by hand.
5. 5
   Here, cornstarch insulates the meringue from the fat in the nuts, which would otherwise cause it to break down.
6. 6
   Easy way to pipe out disks of a particular size: trace a plate or other object of appropriate size onto parchment paper.
7. 7
   The turn the paper over and use the circles as your guide.
8. 8
   Start piping in the center and form a tight spiral out to the edge.