Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Macaron Macaron Macaron Macaron Macaron .....

I thought about writing a post about the feeling of utter failure I felt late one Thursday night when 2 egg whites mingled with powdered sugar only to become dry cracked lumps in my oven—feetless lumps.

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I thought about writing a post about the strange feeling of drive that was then fostered in my brain to tame this darn recipe.

I thought about writing a post about how I went on to have two more failures.

I thought about writing a post about how success finally occurred and that I have no idea how.

I thought about describing that moment when I anxiously turned on the oven light to see those tiny feet; about how I danced right there in the dark of the night kitchen; about the shriek of glee I let out; about my husband’s surprise.
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I thought about writing about how by using Helen of Tartelette’s recipe for macarons from Desserts Magazine that I finally found joy in making these French delicacies.

I thought about writing about getting so at ease with the prospect that I made them with a 2 year old (soon to be three she would like me to inform you.)

I thought about telling you how fun blanching almonds can be (a pinch of the thumb and pointer finger makes them into projectiles.)

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I thought about giving you the rundown of my flavors:
Pumpkin Spice with Pumpkin/Pale ale cream cheese frosting (I follow Helen's advice of drying pumpkin in the oven (oh if i had a dehydrator) and then making a powder of it. These smelled heavenly when baking.)
Green Tea with Ganache
Mint Tea with Pumpkin/ pale ale cream cheese frosting
Pink Peppercorn spice with ganache
Nanami Togarashi spice with ganache
Roibos with Ganache
Rose Hip tea with guess what ganache

I thought about telling you that shifting sugar with a child under 4 is messy business (and that you shouldn’t laugh when they climb down to the floor to lick the lost powdered sugar.) I thought about telling you that in that instance you accept a lumpy shell.

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I thought about telling you how I got a little punchy with my flavors and made cinnamon with almond pumpkin butter macarons as well as smores--cinnamon with a charred marshmallow and then dipped in chocolate.

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I thought about telling you how I turned them into Halloween cookies and how my husband said I turned the delicacy and beauty of France into something kinda wrong but right at the same time.

But, what’s the point in telling you any of this when I have pictures.

And for those of you who are wondering what the heck I am not talking about, it is Daring Baker day of course. The 2009 October Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to us by Ami S. She chose macarons from Claudia Fleming’s The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern as the challenge recipe.

45 comments:

Y said...

I'm glad you told us everything because I'm in love with all the flavours (which you certainly couldn't pick just by looking). Those pumpkin themed shells are fantastic! I also laughed out loud at the almonds-as-projectiles, having blanched many almonds before :)

Dharm said...

I love the flavours that you did. As long as they taste good, thats what counts. And i love that you got your 4 yr old involved too! Thats what makes it magical!

Joanne said...

I loved this post and how it was basically a play-by-play of your (mis)adventures with macaroons. But so so funny. I am so glad they turned out well in the end. All of your flavors look amazing (even the punchy ones!).

Audax said...

What a wonder posting love it and the photos are even better just about perfect. And those Halloween ones are delicious looking. Wonderful that you successed Bravo Bravo Bravo Cheers from Audax in Australia.

Kris Ngoei said...

Beautiful variety of macarons you got there! Congrats for passing the challenge smoothly :-)

Regards
Kris

shaz said...

Those pumpkin ones are too cute, thank you for pictures. You are so game to bake with your little one - love hearing about her little exploits :)

Meeta K. Wolff said...

oh i like the halloween design on these! yup it's true macarons feet will make you dance a happy dance. kudos for making magnificent macarons!

pam said...

A picture is worth a 1000 words!

A said...

isn't seeing the feet for the first time just the most ecstatic moment ever!??!

Super well done! :)

kat said...

Look at you go! I gave up after my first cracked try. Guess I needed to try a different recipe

lisaiscooking said...

You made so many flavors, and they all sound fantastic! Great job. I still live in fear of the macaron and look on with envy. I love the little stem on the Halloween version.

Carri said...

I love macarons! It's time to start making them again and you have given me much inspiration for new flavors. I always love the part of slipping off the almond skins...I don't know why, I can't help laughing the whole time!

Hilary said...

Good job - cute pumpkins! :)

I totally gave up after three attempts. I envy your feet.

George@CulinaryTravels said...

Your macarons look perfect. Love the Halloween take too.

chakhlere said...

looks yummy!!
They have come out so perfect :)

grace said...

my goodness--the flavor varieties! i have a favorite, obviously--smores. cinnamon with charred marshmallow and a chocolate dipping? awesome.

Lauren said...

Loved this post. Your macarons are stunning & the flavours sound amazing.

Anonymous said...

Your flavor combinations sound terrific and I love the macaroons with Halloween decorations, so cute!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Your macarons looks so pretty! Great to know they turned out well!

Cheers,

Rosa

Anita said...

Hahaha, great post. You've done an amazing job with your macarons and are obviously very persistent, :)

Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction said...

Your macs look beautiful. I think I am going to give Helen's recipe a try since mine didn't turn out so well. Next time (and there will be a next time).

Cynthia said...

I thoroughly enjoyed the write-up in this post. Congratlulations on your macaroons turning out so well.

Julia @ Mélanger said...

The macaron certainly takes you on a journey. I have been there - and continue to travel! I just love all your flavours. Fantastic!

Jill @ Jillicious Discoveries said...

Great post! Your macarons look delicious! I especially like that last picture of the stenciled pumpkin--so cute! :)

Simones Kitchen said...

How gorgeous they look! And I love your little halloween macarons... I think that's just perfect for this time of year. Beautiful! Job well done!

Hopie said...

Wow you ARE daring to make macaroons with an almost three year old. What a wonderful assortment of flavors!

Barbara Bakes said...

I'm so glad you told us the whole tale - floor licking and all! And I'm so glad you achieved success. I must admit to a little happy dance in the kitchen myself!

Dori said...

These look delicious and so cute :) Thanks for your support, and you had left a comment, just on the other post, but thanks for both the comments :)

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I would love to make beautiful macarons like yours.

Chou said...

And I think about telling you that I wish I was a fly on the wall at your house to see these adventures in person! What great fun you and Maybelle must have had. I love the flavors, and that you dried your pumpkin in the oven. Huzzah!

Anonymous said...

You macarons look great!! So cute with the halloween pumpkin! Very nicely done.

hailskitchen said...

I am totally impressed! Super ambitious. I especially love the ones dusted with pumpkin faces. Tell your husband he can't have any!

Diana Bauman said...

This was beautiful! You images are awesome!!

Indian Food Rocks said...

Too cute! Which ones did she like the best?

NKP said...

What a fun post!
Congratulations for taming the macaron!!!

FoodJunkie said...

Great one! Macarons are so difficult to get right, but I think you went a bit crazy with all the variations :-)

Despite my love of all things home made, I have decided to leave the art of the macaron to the professionals. I am sure the world can survive that...

Johanna GGG said...

those look gorgeous - what an achievement - I would feel daring even to attempt such baking

and you made me laugh with maybelle licking the floor - I know a little baby who likes to just lick the floor without sugar on it so it reminded me of him

Unknown said...

Wow, you did a FANTASTIC job! Those all look great and I wish I could taste every single one.

Linda@eatshowandtell said...

I can't believe how many succesfful macarons you've made. COngratulations. Omg when I saw feet in the oven, I nearly cried =p

Alicia Foodycat said...

I am amazed! I looked at the pictures and thought "yeah yeah, plain, coffee, pistachio, strawberry" and then I was blown away to read about your amazing flavour combinations!

Namratha said...

You've done a brilliant job, loved the halloween macs and boy oh boy, that's an amazing list of flavors!

Lori said...

You crack me up. The next time we are in Cleveland I would love to get together for lunch or something. You totally crack me up. Projectile almonds, kids licking the floor... ha ha my daughter this past summer, ewwww, licked ths shower room floor, at the beach, ewwww... Good gats. I just didnt let my mind think of how many disgusting things were on that floor. I kept saying to myself better immunity, better immunity. Ewwww, I am shivering now.

Heather S-G said...

Amazing!! I keep reading about "feet"...guess I need to get in there and try making macaron so I can see what everybody is talking ab0ut! Yours all look and sound out of this world...love your "wrong" decorations, as well, LOL!

...and is your title singing that Spanish song... "Macaron. Macaron....." cuz it's totally stuck in my head now!

Chibog in Chief said...

this definitely the cutest macaron i've ever seen :-)

Preethi said...

Your writeup and your recipe is SUPERB.......