Friday, October 26, 2012

One more macaron post...


 
After yesterday I was determined to master them. I searched and searched the web, reading a million recipes and watching many videos. Finally I stumbled upon Bravetart and decided that I loved the way she wrote - she had me giggling out loud, AND I felt that I could follow what she had written. So I did - to the letter. ( well that's a slight fib, I halved her recipe amounts, but that's all I did differently) and yes, you really do whip those ( laid this morning!) egg whites for 10 minutes. Anyway, in three attempts, over 2 and a half years, I've gone from this...


Which, of course, was the most appalling disaster ever because not only did they look terrible, they also tasted awful.


To this, today!
Ta'Dah!





Now call me anal, but this worked so well that I have scored a mark on our cooker to where the exact temperature was and have written down exact timings. 6 minutes, turn tray, 6 minutes turn tray, 1 minute, turn tray, 1 minute turn tray. Well, it worked! 

And even though I do say so myself, they are the most flipping brilliant macarons ever!
They are plain shells with a marscapone and raspberry middle.
Marvellous.


And now this!

Lemon buttercream...




I think I've got it!





49 comments:

  1. You legend!! I bet you will be very pleased with yourself for a long time (and so you should be)!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Poor Lloyd will never hear the end of it!!!

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  2. Carol6:49 pm

    Well done Laura. Persistence make perfect!

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    Replies
    1. thanks! I was on a bit of a roll this time!

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  3. Bravo... If at first you don't succeed;-)

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  4. Anonymous7:10 pm

    WOO HOO they looks delicious and very professional. Louise

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    1. they are amazingly delicious! I got some mad freeze dried raspberries last time I was down in Auckland and they've gone brilliantly in the marscapone.

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  5. OMG, dont eat them...........keep taking photos of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Bloody brilliant!

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  6. They look fantastic! perseverance really does pay off.

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  7. Hooray... they do look perfect... isn't it lovely when persistence finally pays off! Enjoy!

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    1. I just like that not only are they pretty, they taste ace!

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  8. Gay at Lallybroch Alpacas10:02 pm

    Wow, I am so impressed, almost makes me want to give them a try!

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    1. you should! Once you get the hang of it they're not actually all that difficult!!! honest - not that you'd know that by my first attempts!

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  9. You little rippa!!!! Aren't they fantastic????
    xxxxxxx

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    Replies
    1. and thank you for all the support and laughs along the way!!!

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  10. Lloyd probably won't mind eating one (or 17). :)

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    1. he was allowed one last night - just for a test! the rest are for tonight.

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  11. fantastic and perfect.......... I am drooling over the keyboard as I type :)

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  12. thank you! hope your keyboard doesn't suffer too much :)

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  13. Alan and Penny8:02 am

    Dear Laura---CONGRATULATIONS! They look fabulous! I take my hat off to you for your perseverance. I bet they taste as good as they look, so enjoy!

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    Replies
    1. thanks mother in law!!! next time you're over I'll make some for you.

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  14. Anonymous10:25 am

    Fabulous!

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  15. Hello Laura,

    I just found your blog from Our New Life in The Country. Absolutely adore macaroons, and yours look fantastic. Well done (as a fairly useless cook myself, I'm in awe).

    Look forward to following your life on the farm. It looks idyllic.

    Jessica

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    1. Hi Jessica, lovely to meet you!
      i'm a totally useless cook - honest. but i am very stubborn!!

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  16. Wow - just wow!

    I think I almost admire your determination more than the actual product - almost.

    I must admit I took a look at the recipe ages ago and thought No, I haven't the patience, but sorely tempted now.

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    1. oh you should try. really, just follow the recipe I linked to. Its perfect!!!

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  17. WOW! These look incredible. Just like bought ones. You must be totally chuffed. I would be. I don't think I would let anyone eat these. ; )

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    1. thy are all gone! We had friends over tonight and ate the lot - but they were all impressed!

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  18. well done Laura, you really are very determined to have mastered these babies. Thanks for letting us all laugh at your misfortune both here and on Facebook. Lisa.x

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    1. I think I've laughed more than anyone :)

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  19. Anonymous1:44 am

    Well done, Laura - they look absolutely fantastic! You are the Macaron Queen :-) Jo

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  20. Oh my they look amazing! I have books of recipes for them, dozens of pins on Pinterest and a very strong desire to make them, but never have. You have inspired me.

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    1. oh you must! I've been so scared of them since my first attempt - it almost put me off for life! But when you get it it's such a good feeling!!

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  21. oh wow! I've been following your amazing journey and im glad you finally mastered the macaroons!! You inspired me to start planting in my balcony a few months back and i've been eating my yummy lettuce! Thank you! Keep blogging!

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    1. I'm glad too - and so is Lloyd! That's so cool that you've planted on your balcony - are the things in pots? Happy lettuce munching!!

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    2. yes in long pots and i just started on my garlic! cant wait to see how they turn out next year. I live in Vancouver, BC so planting season is winding down. No more fresh lettuce for a while.

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    3. yummy - you planted garlic. I never grow enough!

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  22. These look so completely awesome! I was swooning after looking at the raspberry ones and then I saw the lemon ones. Now you've got me inspired to have another go at perfecting them.

    xx Susan

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    1. I like the lemon ones better, actually. The raspberry marscapone ones were a very grown up flavour. And I just love lemon! I've been buying up all sorts of food colourings - watch out for some lilac ones!!
      I may even devote a page especially for the macarons and add more colours and flavours as I make them! ( sad git!!)

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  23. Wonderful, well done!

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  24. picture perfect. looks like something out of a cookbook or magazine. i was thinking of trying to make for Christmas. think ill wait on that. dont want flops. ill give it a shot when not pressured so much. then next Christmas they'll be perfect. might even be gifts. lol if were all here that is. thanks for the beautiful pics. and inspiration....

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    1. since these ones I've gone slowly downhill! the more humid it gets the more rubbish my macarons are - I'm going to stick to winter ones!!!! Definitely something to try when there's no pressure :)

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I love it when you leave me comments, it lets me know there are folk out there reading my ramblings! Thank you, I appreciate them loads and loads
Laura x