Training: Mountain Bike 17km
haha a strange combination right? But what better way to spend Valentines Day!
Mr BBB and I are not into the commerciality of Valentines Day. As a couple who loves to spend time with each other every day, be it biking, travelling, shopping, reading or cooking, we don’t really feel obliged to go out for dinner (and be surrounded by 30 other 'tables for 2') on Valentines Day.
Rather, this evening we 'celebrated' with one of our favourite activities, a mountain bike ride!
For as they say, couples who play together, stay together.
The weather was perfect for an evening ride and we had the trails to ourselves (perhaps due to all those tables for 2 being filled as we rode....)
We explored…
We skidded...
And we had a ball!
My thoughts on the commerciality of Valentine's Day aside, I did still want to create a special sweet treat for us to enjoy after dinner this evening. And let's be honest, I don’t take a lot of convincing to get my bake on ;)
Thus my first attempt at macarons was born.
I will admit, I was rather nervous about making macarons. There are so many warnings 'tips' and 'hints': use old egg whites, don't overbeat, dry out your almond meal, the French method, the Italian method.....the list goes on....
I was starting to feel so overwhelmed that I almost didn't attempt them at all. But then I decided to just bite the bullet, make a batch, and work on the finer details next time.
Following the French method, egg whites were whipped with sugar*...
Almond meal and icing sugar were sifted**...
Folded...
And piped...
Baked...
And filled...
Presenting…my Valentines Day Macarons!
Filled with white chocolate ganache, coloured with a little food dye.
I love how delicate these little sweet treats are,
Meringue + ganache…
A winning combination.
Oh and I love the fact they are wheat free too!
hehe and I know they are not as pretty, smooth or shiny as they should be – but let’s just call them ‘rustic’ and leave it at that shall we ;)
Recipe to follow….once I have worked on it!
* I was so worried about over beating my egg whites that I think I ended up under beating them?! Hopefully giving them a little extra ‘beating’ will mean that my macarons will not be so flat next time.
**Next time I will also dry out my almond meal, which will hopefully make for a smoother batter.
What about you? Have you ever made macarons? Any tips for new players?
Happy (Valentines) Baking :)
Posts
Gorgeous Macarons! Not for me to attempt though!
ReplyDeleteLisa, they look brilliant! Perfect little feet! My parents have made great macarons a couple of times, but I'm too nervous to try myself. Partly because they're generally too sweet for my tastes, but yours are so very pretty!
ReplyDeletewow, thats definitely my kind of valentines day!
ReplyDeleteLC
There's a good set of feet on your macarons! I'm sure they're delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fine line to tread with additional beating, it's easy to end up with meringue. Though the additional air is easy to 'squeeze out' when piping.
Simply gorgeous! Awesome shots of the beautiful noms and the fun ride! The macs look SO FRESH!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great valentines day ;)
ReplyDeletePretty nice work for your first shot at macarons! You got feet, which takes many macaron makers a while. Did you let the piped rounds sit for about 30 minuets to get those?
ReplyDeleteA couple of tips:
1. Looks like you didn't quite beat your meringue enough. You want it to look like shaving cream, and to be stiff enough that if you remove the whisk and stand it on the counter, the meringue doesn't fall down. But do be cautious about overbeating, because then
2. After you pipe out the rounds, rap the pan on the counter three times to break up air bubbles; that will help smooth out the surface of the shells.
3. Select the best-looking 3-4 macarons to photograph and post on your blog :).
I've never even had those, but I've been seeing them all over the blog world! I think yours are beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteWow I am super impressed by your FIRST attempt at macaroons - those look delicious!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day! Gorgeous macarons :)
ReplyDeleteWow - not sure what you're talking about, b/c these are gorg!! Great first shot!
ReplyDeleteThe landscape there is so beautiful; I'd love to go to Australia...
ReplyDeleteAnd your macaroons look 100x better than my first attempt, or any other attempt I've made! :-)
Awwww!! I love that you two went for a bike ride! We don't celebrate Vday commercially either...what a waste of money!
ReplyDeleteLisa, these are fabulous! So impressive - especially for a first try! I'm dying to try them myself. Happy Valentines Day :) A ride then macarons sound fabulous.
ReplyDeleteHeidi xo
oh my gosh, i don't knwo what you are talking about, those are beautiful!!! they're on my bucket list to try...
ReplyDeleteThose macarons look so good! I tried one of these at the paris airport and one in Bombay, really loved them!
ReplyDeleteThese look really good, very impressed for your first attempt, I have only attempted once and mine didn't look quite as good as yours!
ReplyDeleteI love going on bike rides too - it would be our ideal 'valentines' treat too! But sadly since having our kids it will be a while before the two of us can just scoot off for a ride.
They look really great for a first attempt! I have never tried making them as I find them quite sweet for me, so making a lot would be a bit too much.
ReplyDeleteyour macarons look gorgeous - I must try them some time - all I know is that they should have feet and these do
ReplyDeleteI think they turned out wonderfully! I can't believe that was your first attempt. They look professional!
ReplyDeleteThey look great and so very yummy!
ReplyDeleteYAY Lisa you did a great job with your macarons! :D
ReplyDeletehappy valentines day, your macaroons look great! are you going to post the recipe? i would love to try it?
ReplyDeleteI love your V Day celebrations & have to admit I love your romantic date. I'm all for the table for 2, I love working on V Day seeing all the romance, but weird I know..., but when it comes to V Day for me..., I'd much rather go do something like you.
ReplyDeleteNow.., as for these Macaroons..... WOW!!! For your first try they're great. I've never made them & have to agree there are so many warnings I've been a bit put off., but you've inspired me. Thanks for that :)
Your macarons are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI've made them once and they were happily successful! I used Matt Moran's recipe from the Sunday Telegraph last year.