by Andi on March 19, 2010
This post is dedicated to Julie of Writing Roads who is fascinated with this little cookie!
Tomorrow is third annual Jour du Macaron. Yes. An entire dedicated to this little guy.
There seems to be a little mini-obsession over these little guys these days, probably due to the fact that they are hitting main stream America.
Starbucks sold boxes of a dozen during the holiday season, and it now seems that they may be coming to a McDonald’s near you…in this extremely well written post on the Wall Street Journal online they detail a bit of the history and share that the McDonald’s in Paris have been serving their version since 2007, but have only recently overtly advertised their presence.
I can only guess that it won’t be too long before they show up in McDonald’s here. That will be a sad day. Nothing is sacred.
Let me just put it out here that I am not a huge fan of macarons. It’s not that I hate them, it’s just that there are many, many other French desserts and partries that I prefer over them. But I can definitely tell the difference between a well-made macaron and an industrialized version.
I bought a box of the Starbucks ones over the holiday season to share in the office. They weren’t good. Some people liked them. Most people had never had them before. And nearly eveyone said they looked like mini-hamburgers – maybe that is why McDonald’s is serving them??
In reality, the preparation is an art form and like most bakery or pastry items, they must be sold fresh. In Paris, the recognized leaders in macarons are Ladurée and Pierre Hermé. And of course there are many fine bakers with boutiques in Paris that do an exquisite job with these miniature delights.
Just a note on our American version, which we spell as macaroons. The coconut cookies that we know on this side of the pond. All of these cookies, the French version, the American version, as well as versions made in other countries all trace back to an Italian (Venetian) recipe from the Renaissance.
More information for you on macarons:
If you are interested in trying one, please don’t try it at a fast food place. Try to find a baker who makes them locally, I guarantee you it will be a much better experience!
Anyone have any good macaron stories to share?
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Post from one year ago today: NATO/OTAN Reunion
by Andi on March 18, 2010
If you’re Generation X, American and watched either Saturday morning cartoons or ABC After-School Specials you will have no doubt seen this commercial.
A frying pan. A narrator saying, “This is your brain.”
An egg added. A narrator saying, “This is your brain on drugs.”
Totally freaked me out. So much so, that I still remember it!
I am a little fried right now. Work is really busy, which has been really great, but I am really busy! I have not had a chance to read too many blogs this week, but will definitely make up for it this weekend.
Hope everyone’s week is going well and hope to stop by to visit you soon.
Stay tuned for a yummy French Friday tomorrow!
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Post from one year ago today: Wordless Wednesday #4
by Andi on March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Misadventures with Andi style! I’ve got the green and (begrudgingly) the Catholic Church à la Pere Lachaise Cemetery. I have not been yet, but it is on my list of places to visit.
In all seriousness, for those who celebrate this day, enjoy and be safe!
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Post from one year ago today: St. Pat’s Haiku
by Andi on March 16, 2010
Seeing photos of Sarah Jessica Parker from the Oscars reminded me that Sex and The City 2 is coming in May – yay! And that makes me thing about Carrie Bradshaw.
I know a lot of people make fun of her fashion sense (and Lord knows, I have no fashion sense!) but I think she is fabulous. An innovator and a risk taker, and I love it.
I always think about my business trips to Tokyo and how the women there seem to be able to throw a purple and yellow polka-dotted shirt together with and orange and blue striped skirt, add plaid socks and go! And it is fashionable! I want to show up in the office some day like that.
When I think about Carrie Bradshaw I also think shoes! Even though I choose classic comfy shoes for work and play, I am a big shoe voyeur and love to look at the styles and drool. I ran across this fun website awhile back and thinking about SATC and Carrie and clothes and shoes, reminded me of it and I wanted to share.
The site is called Shoes of Prey, a website where you can design your own shoes how cool is that?!
According to their website,
“you choose the heel, toe, fabric, color and embellishments. Our expert craftsmen then make your shoes to measure, swaddle them in a soft dust bag and crisp new box, and ship them straight to your waiting feet.”
I personally just love to look at the possibilities, and because they have a section called Voyeur, I am guessing that I am not the only one!
Are you a fan of Sex and The City? When you think of the girls, is there something that resonates for you?
BIG News, my pal Susan over at Transient Travels is doing a SATC giveaway – go check it out!
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Trying a new thing today as well:
Post from one year ago today: Oh sweet love of mine you have returned
