Friday, March 15, 2013

Why the fuss?



I must be the only blogger around who isn't smitten with the Macaron. The colorful treats have had a LOT of blog play in the past few years, and I must say they photograph very well. All those pretty colors and shiny disks with delicious fillings....what's not to love? Living in the suburbs, trends take a little longer to arrive, and Macarons have only just been available in local bakeries where I live. (not to be confused with the coconut Macaroon). So finally....I spotted them at my local grocery and purchased 4 which weigh about 5 grams and cost...get this $1.99 each....I figured they had had to be fabulous for that price right? Subconsciously, I ended up with pink and blue (chocolate and vanilla) and sat down for coffee this morning (while still waiting for baby news) and treated myself to a blue one.......no drum rolls..no OH MY GOODNESS.....It was HO HUM and I was totally let down by the soft-ish meringue and completely flavorless concoction. Maybe it's a Laduree Macaron I need to be trying. I'm going to try making my own and using some natural colors from fruit juice...in the meantime, I can play the He Loves me, He Loves me not game with the rest of them pink-it's a girl, blue-it's a boy, pink-it's a girl....

Are you a Macaron fan? Have made them yourself?


16 comments:

  1. You know, I bought some one day at a fair, made by a french gal, and I did not like them at all. Lots of fuss about nothing. If it were me, I wouldn't put effort into making them but that's a personal thing.

    Come on, baby! It's time!

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  2. I think, like with any dessert or treat, you have to like them in order to enjoy them...does that make sense?! But, having said that, I also think that you need to make a judgement based on really well made ones before you can know if you love them or hate them. It would be like eating a really well made fresh lemon meringue pie or one that's been frozen from your grocery store...they would not taste the same, and you might wonder what the fuss is all about. I love Laduree macarons, but I wouldn't want to eat more than a couple at one sitting, they are really sweet and rich, but they are yummy when you get them in a flavor you like...their caramel is one of my favs!

    And last year I tried my hand at making them and was pleasantly surprised at how well they turned out. I didn't color mine and I used chocolate ganache as the filling and they were quite tasty!

    Kat

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  3. I think you need to be in Paris and have a fresh one. They were divine there seriously.

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    1. I forgot to say I brought a mix back home but have yet to translate the directions!

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  4. Bummer on the cookies and baby front. Hope tomorrow is better. Personally I'm a biscotti fan

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  5. Not a fan . . . they look pretty though! Hurry little babe . . .

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  6. I've never had one either! They look pretty but don't really appeal to me. I do think when I go to Paris this fall I will have to try one at Laduree just because!

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  7. I have made them quite successfully and they were quite nice, not not incredible. We have a Sydney baker called Adriano Zumbo who is famous for them in quirky flavours (he has a website) and makes a packet mix for one of our supermarket chains. I tried them (salted caramel) and they were good.
    Do you know to buy them in cafes here they cost up to $3 each!! Crazy.
    x

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  8. Chania, you certainly make them look delicious! I am sure 'yours' will be more to your liking.
    Your grandchild is taking his/her time....that can tell you a lot. My mom told me that I couldn't wait to 'arrive' and get going!! lol

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  9. I thought I was alone in this. It seems everybody is crazy for them and I just don't love them. I totally agree that they are beautiful to photograph.

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  10. I think there is a part of me that rebels against the latest "trends" - I want to be different. So I haven't tried Macarons although I've seen many around and have thought they are quite pretty looking.
    There are lots of other more interesting foods that I'd like to try I guess.
    Pssst - I think it's a girl.

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  11. No no no! You need to be devouring a Laduree macaron! And a salted caramel one at that! Not all macarons are created equal!

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  12. Never have had one, so I have no opinion. For once. Just thinking though... its a boy. Ann

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  13. Looks like your having fun with the camera. I did one of some orange slices once over some glass, cool effect. Nice photo.

    ~Randall

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  14. Great post!!! I even had them in France and thought...this is it? They're way too sweet for me.

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  15. I did not think I would like them but a few years back when they started showing up in small pâtisseries near my work, I bought some out of curiosity. They were delicious....small but tasty. I have only ever had them from these particular places since when I see them elsewhere in a more mass-produced fashion they appear somewhat "old"?
    I have never tried making them as they are a tad too fussy for me.

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I love to read each and every comment and are thrilled that you take the time to send one. Thank you so much. Chania