Macaron Dreams

As is evident from my previous post, my life during winter break is lacking blog-able material- I've stooped so low as to stalk my cats for entertainment (when I'm not  on the couch watching New Girl on Netflix or Big Bang re-runs hours on end). But things are turning around! I won't necessarily have things to blog about but I do have a reason to shower daily and leave the house. You know what that means... school is back in session and I got me a full-time internship. So I figured I better crank out one more post before the madness begins. 

La Maison Ladurée in Paris. Where I tasted my first macaron. It was like nothing I had ever had before. It was love at first bite. 

With all my free time this winter break, I decided it was time to try and replicate this delicate decadent delight (emphasis on the try. I was ambitious but I knew there was no way I could do it, especially on the first go... sorry Yoda, this is a "try" as opposed to "do or do not" situation). 

After reading horror stories about battles with the mighty macaron, I was prepared for the worst. Maybe that's why I was pleasantly surprised when the worst I encountered was a burning deltoid from all the egg white-whipping- Dad had to step in and we took turns whisking. Next time, electric beater for sure. 

Here's the result: For starters...they had feet (though not all the way around on some leaving them a bit caddywhompus) and none of the shells cracked (which I understand to be quite an accomplishment). 

They were certainly not uniform- a wide array of shapes and sizes (but everyone found a near perfect match so that's the important thing I suppose!) Also, the shells were hollow instead of flat on the bottom (I blame Martha Stewart and her recipe). 

look at the little feet!

Finally, the chocolate ganache filling was delicious- tempted to eat it by the spoonful. 

they're almost as fun to take pictures of as they are to eat. so adorable.