So imagine my surprise when I first heard my french landloard tell me one day over 5 years ago that she had a special dessert planned for us that night: Macaronis!!!!
I figured something had been "lost in translation" and that of course she'd meant she had a special diner planned for us that night: Macaroni (and cheese). I thought how nice of her and felt a bit dissapointed when diner proved to be something other than the oh-so-wonderfully-delicious pasta and cheese dish...
... then came dessert time and again she announced: "and now, ze special zurprise: des Macarons!!!".... My tummy did a summersault and I though, dear God no!
And yet, what came to the table was everything BUT pasta. It was a plate full of small little colorful round crunchy delicacies which I now curse the day I ever tasted them they are so damn addictive. Oh yes people, a "macaroni" in France looks something like this:
Eiwww you say? Looks like a plastic fake-coloring fake-flavored yucky marshmelow? Shame on you! You should know better. The French being... well french, Macarons are right up there with fois gras, champagne and Bordeaux Chateau Margaux delicacies... they are simply scrumpcious and nothing in the them is artificial (at least I don't think so).
Bitting into a Macaron is taking a trip of no return. Like papitas Sabritas, a que no puedes comer solo una (I bet you can't eat only one). The soft creamy filling together with the crunchy yet spongy outing is something that can't be explained... you can only know when it has touched your tongue.
Eating a Macaron (or 2 or 3 or 50 or 300!)...should be on everyone's list of "things to do before I turn 90". And don't get me started on the flavors!!! As a teaser let me describe the picture below.
Starting at 12 o'clock and clockwise: Rasberry, Pistachio, Wiskey & Dark Chocolate, Rose petals, Orange crusts & Dark chocolate, coffee and vanilla, Dark chocolate and in the center Vanilla and dark pepper. Hey, don't knock it till you try it!!! And to prove my point let me say that today I initially bought TWO of EACH on my way home from work... only ONE of each even made it to the appartment and barely survived long enough for me to haul my camera out of the closet, take a few pics and download them to my computer.
hmmmmmm.... as I finish typing this post I am licking my fingers after that last orange&chocolate one.... sorry folks.... but, se acabo.
Fned.
6 comments:
So, is that what a chocolate macaroon is?? that's a dessert in English, but I always thought they were like those twirly pastas - but sweet and chocolate! Still, I don't know if I'd like all the flavors you described...
You are torturing me!!!! I MUST book a flight to France right now. Forget the Eiffel Tower, forget the Louvre, all I want to do is eat Macaroons in EVERY SINGLE FLAVOR THAT EXISTS, with Fned :)
Man, those look great. Fned, I'll bet you could make a living just blogging about food. You are good at it.
Minshap... trust me... you'd LOVE the flavors I described, they sound weird, sure, but the french have got it all figured out when it comes to desserts.
Mamacita: Girl, what are Seb & you waiting for??? We'll have a Macaroon-fest!!!
Rivergirl: Thanks!! It's taken a while for me to get my chile-ruined tastebuds back, but slowly I'm discovering a whole new rainbow of flavors!!!! ;)
Fned.
Macaroons in the states are made with coconut and are gooey and delicious and can come in lots of flavors, but nothing like those yummolas look like!
This morning I told hubby "This croissant is really good! And that's coming from someone who has never been to France and doesn't know how they're supposed to taste!" HINT HINT!!!
Now I'll have to add Macarons to my list!
Mexpat: I can take a hint *smile*. Hans & you come 'on over to Paree anytime you want and we'll take you guys to eat the BEST croissants you'll ever taste chez Le Pain au Quotidien. And for dessert? Macarons at Ladurée!!! LOL
Fned.
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