Making french macarons or paying the mortgage?!

[Mama Lan]

Hi Guys,

My boyfriend seems to be intent on spending money assigned for the mortgage on ground almonds, icing sugar and eggs to make the 'perfect' macaron (or macaroon). 6 attempts and no nearer so far. Any good tried and tested recipes out there? The ones he's made look like mini portraits of the elephant man!

Love

Mama Lan

www.mamalan.co.uk

[Jill Hodges]

I'm also on a macaroon kick! Just bought a book (which turned out to be translated from the Japanese... hmm) and will be trying when I get back to London!

[Mama Lan]

COOKIES... COOKIES... FRENCH COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKIES :D

[Mama Lan]

Hey guys!

I don't know what it is but there does seem to be a unhealthy obsesssion about making the perfect, dare I say, french cookies!

[msmarmitelover]

That would be a good demo for the farmers market wouldn't it? Can someone come and show us how to make macarons? We all want to know.

[msmarmitelover]

I tried and didn't succeed in getting proper 'feet' on them. I think the blogger Maison cupcake got really obsessed with them for a while and was trying to get them right for weeks!
There are all sorts of tricks like banging the baking tray, leaving the oven door ajar...stuff like that.
I also went a bit mad and having bought a small tin of snuff decided this would make an exotic flavouring for them. Hmmm...good idea until I found myself doing projectile vomiting!
If you make it work Clandestinos...let us know!

[Clandestinos Secret Supper Club✓]

Hi Mama Lan, funny you should ask that question...I've been looking at several recipes this evening on how to make macarons like the ones you get at Ladurée! I'm going to test them out at the weekend so will let you know how they turn out.