No, not macaroons. Macarons. Macaroons are dense cookies made either with coconut or with a coarse almond paste. Dating back to the royal bakeries of France in the 18th century, they are a traditional pastry shaped as meringue-like domes with a flat base. Concocted primarily from egg whites, almond powder, icing sugar and sugar, macarons are ethereal sandwich-like pastries with a cream or ganache between two thin candy-colored cookies. This book by a Japanese pastry chef offers illustrated step-by-step instructions for making macarons. The methods seem deceptively simple, but it takes determined effort to master the macaron shell, the flavor options, and the cream filling. Ogita's instruction is detailed, but not overwhelming. Gift wrapping ideas are included along with recipes for using leftover egg yolks in creams, puddings, brulees, and ice cream. The book is translated from Japanese with a few translation discrepancies. |
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It is the type of pastry that makes you so happy when you receive it as a gift that you are bound to say, "Wow, How cute they are!" |
