I did it! I made macarons last night. It was completely necessary as Colorado Springs has no place at all where I can purchase these little yummy tea treats. How else was I supposed to experience them if not by making them myself? I EVEN blanched my own almonds. Whew! It was a tough process and I ended up with batter all over my hands as well as a bowl full of butter since I decided to make a chocolate ganache center for the pastries instead of the traditional butter cream which just sounded too complicated at 8:30. 9:00 o’clock at night. All in all, it was worth it.
Once in a while, you just have to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Just because you can.
To see these little darlings in action, rent the movie ‘Wives and Daughters’. Macarons are big at tea time.
Recently, China has been in the media in regards to their poor treatment of processed foods. Foods that you and I consume. Another item we all need to be aware of is pesticides in tea. Any tea has the possibility of containing trace amounts of pesticides, even organic black teas. Green teas, though because of how they are processed will have the most.
Be aware that even organic brands can contain low levels of pesticides.
Though low levels pesticides may be found in even the most strictly monitored of tea gardens, I am particularly wary of purchasing any food product from China and will make an effort not to purchase teas from China even if grown in other countries. Why? Who knows what they’ve done to it in their processing factories and ware houses. I would rather err on the side of caution and patron a safer source.
Happy sipping.
For those who saw the movie, ‘Over the Hedge’, Hammie’s declaration of love for this, my most favorite of baked goods, was also my declaration.
My mom had an old mixing bowl (it is now mine)that used to belong to her grandmother. In it, we would make pumpkin pie filling because it was the only bowl in the house big enough to hold all of the ingredients. It also served another purpose, it was used to make cookie dough, especially peanut butter cookie dough earning it the glorious and incredibly imaginative title of:’The Peanut Butter Cookie Bowl’ Ah, but what we lacked in imagination, we more than made up for in enthusiasm and dedication to the fine art of cookie making.
Not only do I enjoy the home made cookies, but yes, on occasion I have been known to nosh on a store bought biscuit or two or five with tea or milk depending on my mood and the time of day. Which brings me, and you, to my latest discovery although there are, I’m sure, those out there who have already discovered this lovely cookie and why didn’t you tell me it existed?
This yummy delight is built like and Oreo cookie but it is filled with a delicious maple flavored filling. Wow! Is it ever yum with tea. It has temporarily de-throned Le Petite Ecolier with the 70% dark chocolate as my favorite.
So here is a picture of this delight. Feel free to express to us your love of the cookie and which one is your favorite.