Thursday, July 14, 2011

Those little jewels, the Macarons

You might think this is a jewelry store.  The crystal chandeliers, the lights....we'll, not quite.  But, for some, it does hold the next best thing to jewels.  French macarons!!

Here is my little green bag that I walked out of that store with.  Laduree is well known for the best tasting macarons.

Here is what we bought and I think I can remember the flavors.  Starting from the left, coffee, violet, cherry, strawberry mint, raspberry, vanilla bean, pistachio and chocolate.  These 8 little "jewels" cost $17 American dollars.  The Trout and I cut each one in half so that we could enjoy all the flavors.  Was it worth it?  Yes, because we do not get these but once a year if we are lucky.

You ask what is a macaron.  Americans think coconut, but not so, these little gems.  They are made with egg whites, very strong flavors and lots of patience.  I have never tried making them and really do not have much desire to try.  However, a blogger friend of mine, Cathy at Wives with Knives  has perfected the procedure to making beautiful macarons.  I hope you will check her blog here to find out how they are made.


Sealed with a kiss!!!

9 comments:

  1. A very fitting shop for food that looks like jewels. What a pretty photo.
    Sam

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  2. That, my dear, is some kiss. The macarons look wonderful and the raspberry one really caught my eye. The jewel tones of your choices made for a wonderful photo. I hope you are having a great time on the fishing expedition. Blessings...Mary

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  3. We have a patissier in Vaison la Romaine who learned his craft at Laduree's so we are really spoiled here (and they are cheaper, too - € 1 a piece)

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  4. The whole place is a visual feast! The chandeliers, the macarons, the bag they use for packaging... a pleasure all the way. And, wow, that is some kiss! blessings ~ tanna

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  5. Your photographs took me right back to Laduree, Susan. Isn't it the most amazing place? I tried to take a quick photo when I was in line waiting for my turn but got a very stern finger wagged in my direction as we approached the macaron case. We loved the pistachio and raspberry and the salted caramel.
    Thanks so much for the link back to my blog. Macarons are really fun to make. Sometimes they don't turn out right but the effort is fun and challenging.

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  6. I love the colours! I've heard of these before, but you've clarified a number of ???'s I had about what is so special. Everything about them!

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  7. After my first couple, make that several, oh heck, seriously a dozen or so, I realized macaroons aren't cookies at all, they are a gateway drug to my pastry addiction!

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  8. I love macarons. We have a bakery here in Portland that does a pretty good job and occasionally I spend the $2 per macaron for a small treat to have with my tea. I will have to check with Cathy and learn to make them.

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  9. I have seen Cathy's, she is an expert now at them!

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