we finally meet

A few weeks ago, I was looking through our local guide for all the hotspots in town and saw a feature of the 12 best local cookies - and that's where it was that I saw it. #11 - Best Macaron at a downtown French Cafe I'd never heard of. For days, I fantasized about picking up a dozen cookies for myself. Finally on Friday, hubby and I put on our nicest cowboy boots and headed down for my first taste of a Parisian macaron.


I was so excited.


When we got there I quickly scanned all of the display cases - eclairs, tarts, maple bars, crossaints....but no macarons. I asked the waitress about them and she told me they were usually gone within hours of shipment and they can never predict when to expect them.


My heart sank.


It wasn't a failed mission though. Our breakfast was DE-LI-CIOUS. And I was even more determined to have a taste of that little crisp cookie.


I picked up a few of the remaining ingredients I didn't have and got to work in the kitchen. I had prepared myself with lots of research beforehand, with My Tartlette, MacTweets, Canelle et Vanille, etc.


I ended up making these Candy Cane and Eggnog Macarons. I took a peek in the oven and started jumping up with thrill "I'VE GOT FEET!! I'VE GOT FEET!!" Btw, yes my husband already knows I'm crazy :)

Once they were piped and ready to be devoured, I remembered this tutorial on how to eat a macaron.



Oh my.


They were just as I'd read - a thin, crisp layer on the outside and a cake-like, almost chewy texture inside. I could've eaten 5 more right there. But I thought I'd share with hubby, since he did indulge me in my journey earlier that morning. He wanted to put the hole thing in his mouth, but I had to remind him, they were meant to be savoured. Two words came out of his mouth "Deliciousness. Heaven."


The rest of the evening, I thought of many other macaron variations I could make. Strawberry and vanilla. Chocolate and Kahlua. Vanilla and Orange. The possibilities are endless. And so my little macaron obsession begins...