• 3 egg whites
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 3/4 cup sugar, granulated
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped finely
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 ounces sweet cooking chocolate
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp brandy
• 2 cup heavy cream

1. Preheat oven to 300° F.
2. Lightly grease 9-inch pie pan.
3. In mixing bowl blend together egg whites until foamy. Add salt and cream of tartar.
4. Add sugar gradually and continue beating until very stiff peaks form.
5. Fold in nuts and vanilla extract.
6. Pour into lightly greased pie pan, forming a nest by building up a half inch rim around the edge of the pie pan. Do not extend over the rim.
7. Bake at 300° F for 50 minutes. Cool.
8. In a double boiler place chocolate and water. Stir until melted. Cool. Add brandy to chocolate mixture.
9. Whip 1 cup of heavy cream. Fold into chocolate mixture.
10. Pour chocoate mixture into meringue shell and chill 2-3 hours before serving.
11. Whip rest of heavy cream, piling high on top of pie.
12. Garnish with bits of shaved chocolate and serve.

Recipe makes 8 servings of French Silk Pie.