Celeste's Strawberry Sighs or Suspiros

• sugar (Splenda might work just as well and save calories. If you make it this way, please let me know if it)1 1⁄2 cups
• water↗9 tablespoons
• lemon rind↗1 teaspoon
• lemon juice↗1 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄8 teaspoon
• egg whites, beaten stiff↗3
• small firm but ripe strawberries, rinsed, stemmed and dried well↗12

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine sugar, water, lemon peel and juice, and salt in a saucepan.

2. 2

   Bring to a boil and cook without stirring until syrup reaches soft ball stage (234 degrees). Remove fro heat.

3. 3

   Beating constantly, pour syrup in egg whites.

4. 4

   Continue beating until meringue is cool and very thick.

5. 5

   For each sighs, spoon a heaping tablespoons of meringue onto a buttered baking sheet.

6. 6

   Top with a strawberry and spoon on just enough more meringue to completely cover and seal in the berry.

7. 7

   Bake in hot oven 450 degrees for about 3 minutes or until golden.

8. 8

   Remove to wire rack to cool.