I’d given up completely…..
…on ever making macarons. Certainly not this weekend.
The damn things. Its not as if I love them anyway.
But that was till 3pm today when I saw some egg whites in the freezer.
And then I changed my mind.
I’d given up on ‘catching’ up with the Mexican stop of Foodalogue.
It was the first place on the tour .
Except I wasn’t part of the tour then.
But deep in my heart, I hate ‘partial’ completions.
It has to be completely complete.
In the meantime, my digital scale is ‘broken’.
I mistakenly, absentmindedly rinsed it.Under a running tap…..
Silly right?
So I used a measuring jug to mete out the ingredients for the macarons.
I knew it would fail.
The egg whites, I defrosted, aided by the microwave…for 10 seconds.
It almost cooked my eggs.
I had to add another egg white…and because the whites weren’t aged, I lost some whilst sieving.
I continued regardless.
I made the syrup for the meringue and I just eyeballed it – no thermometer, no nothing.
What the heck, if it fails, I’ll just call it Mexican cookies.
No one ever has to know they were meant to be macs.
After all, no one sent me on an errand.
Choices, choices.
I made them and you know what, everything went well.
As I sift the icing sugar and oven-dried almonds, I remember what Pam said about part of my last mac mixture being a paste.
And Mimi too.
This time, I made sure that didn’t happen. I made the egg white- almond-icing sugar mixture somewhat fluid.
I add some Mexican chocolate – crushed and ground and well sieved.
For I fancy a bit of spice in my tummy tonight.
I pipe the mixture onto my silicone mat.
Its a bit runny. Some macs make friends and merge with one another.
I always produce monster macs, this time will be no exception.
I put it in the oven and I see the feet.
I’m surprised. Shocked. And mighty glad.
Out they come and I get my act together, whipping up some Mexican hot chocolate.
In the pan goes some milk, and dried red chilli. I throw in some rose petals, to usher in spring!
It is the season afterall…
I add two tablets of ‘Abuelita’ and let it melt.
Then out comes my Molinillo.
I whisk it till the mix is frothy.
And pour it into my mug.
I top it with some whipped cream as I get ready to ‘sandwich’ my macarons.
In this home, we do not believe that Macs taste better the day after.
We are not fanatical about the mac filling either.
Our standard can of whipped cream works a treat every time.
Forgive us, we’re not French.
I squirt some cream onto one half…and I do these for the regular and the figure-of-8 macs (which the husband receives).
I top it with chilli seeds, spread those all around. I need my sweet and hot.
I place the twin over the top and then I eat……
While one daughter decorates hers with blue edible glitter, shows it to me and insists I take a photo and blog about it, my almost 3 year old son (who knows macarons like he knows pancakes) runs between the living room and the kitchen.
Eating mac after mac after mac!
Daughter #2 can’t be bothered, she’s ambivalent on the matter of macarons.
I have some, dipped in my fragrant hot chocolate;
Perfumed with rose petals.
They add a touch of ‘Persia’ to my Mexican delight.
The hot chocolate is amazing. Rich. Smooth. Scented.
And my Mexican chocolate macs? Superb.
Delish. A confirmation to me.
Macs will not ‘snub’ me or be ‘hottie tottie’
They can be conquered….without a scale.
I love you Mexico.
This is heading to the MacTweets “Spring Fling: Be inspired by your favorite spring flowers.” Plus its Jour du Macaron soon…..I won’t be here though….
Yep, another mention for Barbados!
My favourite flowers are roses. And tulips and Poppies and many, many more. What are yours?
Also, this is heading too to Joan of Foodalogue. Yes I know Mexico is done and dusted but, I had to do it anyway!
Till tomorrow……yep. Tomorrow. I have a challenge to fulfill, albeit it……tomorrow shall tell!
[…] gift from a wonderful Mexican friend, I’ve used this whisk to make many a thing, from Mexican hot chocolate, light and frothy to more Mexican hot chocolate, perfect to serve with […]
I am actually a little daunted about making Macarons, everyone tells me how hard it is but after seeing your recipe, I think I am going to make my first attempt. I love chilli chocolate, so i think this will be perfect 🙂
Macs, much as I love them…are a fickle thing. But love I do, nevertheless!
[…] think I should give macs up………..or become nonchalant […]
[…] Out of season but with great flavours, we enjoyed Cuban strawberries with Meringue ice cream and because I had some Abuelita and a Molinillo, I was inspired to catch up with the first stop I missed with some Macs and Hot chocolate. […]
Hello, superb blog.
[…] all and this time I decided to do them properly, from start to finish. By that I mean, no more ‘hastily put together filling’, and no more eating fresh from the oven. I fended the kids off with some mac shells but kept the […]
Envious sigh! The macarons look amazing! I wish I could have some right about…..NOW!
Gorgeous honey, love the flavour combo x
These macs are like those plants that die when you show them all the attention in the world, and thrive when you forget about them and treat them terribly. Next time round with macs are you going to intentionally treat ’em mean? 🙂
Gorgeous work! Love chilli and chocolate together, so these are just heavenly to me.
These look fabulous, l love the hot and sweet combo and oh my goodness, I wish I was there now to partake in that creativity!
Alfredo and me are impressed by your creativity. Who on earth imagined preparing such an fashionable delicacy with chocolate abuelita (our favourite). Your photography is first class and your story telling is so genuine.
We are more than proud of you Ozoz. We’ll send you more Mexican ingredients, you can create unique dishes!
God bless your site.
Hmmm Mexican chocolate! For me there’s nothing better than a cup of steamy hot Mexican chocolate in a cold winter night. And now I can have it with some macarons. Genius! 😀
I will try again and I will again have feet! *nods defiantly*
Ozoz, your photos and food is awe inspiring. Enjoy your holday !!!
Love the macarons, but give me a cup of that hot chocolate!
Love the Macarons, but give me a cup of that chocolate.
Thanks for all your comments. I am SWAMPED with my last days at work, plus packing to go on holiday in a few days!!! I appreciate your comments and will ‘visit’ y’all soon. LOL
Great job on the mac’s. I love the one your daughter decorated, it look like a sand dollar.
Mimi
Screaming gorgeous Oz … love the flavours & the story. Rinsed the scale … oooops!! Loved the cojoined macs… they stole my heart!! Rose petals look very chic on those perfect shells … have to try your recipe!!
I love serendipity in the kitchen and you seem to have it in spades. Well done on completing your culinary tour, I have enjoyed every stop off.
They look lovely!
Where did you find that Nestle chocolate??
Magda
Wow, I’m impressed! You managed your scale-less macarons perfectly! And your macarons twins are so cute! I love your writing. You made me laugh again! 😉
what a combo!! so daring, but oh so yum!
Great Macs, and I love the idea of using the Abuelita chocolate. Yum.
This is a fabulous post. Great photos. I have never attempted macaroons. There’s a bakery near by that serves up fabulous macs, so that’s my excuse. 🙂 My favorite flower are California Poppies.
Yum! These look amazing! So creative 😉
Great pictures! You have some serious patience… which obviously paid off.
Oz hmmmmmmmmmmmm finally conquered those fears of the macs…well done..They do look very nice..Can I get a calorie count???? 🙂 🙂
Beautiful! I wonder if macarons are one of those things you can over engineer. And if you just don’t think too hard, or over-analyse, they’ll work out brilliantly. A kind of “use the force, Luke” approach to construction? 🙂
OMG!!! Each is so precious and beautiful! Divine!
That are beautiful and look as good, nah better than others I have seen. I will take with the hot chocolate.
Your photos are gorgeous and these look beautiful! 😀
See? Macs are so fickle. Ignore them, treat them bad and they’re all over you. Do your best to treat them well and they can’t be bothered. Sigh.
BRAVA for these. I’m throwing away my scale.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Bravo! Well done on the macs. And the hot chocolate sounds divine. I’d been served a tiny cup of rose scented hot chocolate (made with pure cream) once, and it was ambrosial. Mmmm..
Well done you.. you did make some.. When it comes to being creative, I don’t think Mac’s should have rules… and I MISS abuletta SO MUCH>>>>>> can’t find it here in Japan.. errr
This must have been a taste sensation Ozoz! Just totally totally loving the flavour combination. Wasn’t it fun to make it?!
Oh, Oz, just magnificent! You bring faith back! I am moved by your writing and have fallen in love with these macs, this dessert, the spicy sweet chocolate, it’s all marvelous! And I am imaging you, your husband and your kids all sharing this moment! Beautiful!
Amazing! Chilli flakes in the macarons filling! And I must say that you have lots lots lots of toys and tools in your kitchen.
YOU are amazing! how do you think up all these things? oh and those chillie seeds i thought that was insanely gorgeous! oh my!
Such a fun post! I’m so impressed you were brave enough to just go for it and you got great results!
Chocolate and mac attack! Love it!
Oh everything looks so luscious. I can use a cup of hot cocoa now 🙂 There’s something comforting about hot cocoa that can’t be replaced with any other beverage.
Oz -you are a lady of many talents. And I love your perseverance! You’ve been a good travel companion and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you via Kitchen Butterfly.
Gorgeous! It was fun reading about your journey while making them!