Let them eat cake...or macaroons!

in honour of Bastille Day...

http://www.iwantthat.co.za inspired us with this Mexican Macaroon shop, Theurel & Thomas - how beautiful?

here is Thomas Keller from French Laundry's Macaroon recipe:

INGREDIENTS

5 cups ground almonds

5 3/4 cups icing sugar

1 1/2 cups egg white

2 Tbs + 1 tsp sugar

pinch cream of tartar

seeds from 1 vanilla pod

vanilla butter icing (see the Whoopie Pie recipe for Butter icing recipe)

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 200C.

Beat the egg whites to stiff peak. Add the sugar and whisk.

Fold in the almonds and icing sugar until combined.

Put the mixture into a piping bag and line an oven tray with baking paper. Dont pipe too close together as they do spread.

Pipe little rounds (about a tablespoonful) onto the tray, then using your slightly damp finger (dip into a little water) rub the top of the mound to make it smooth.

Set these aside for about an hour to rest.

Then bake at 200 C for about 10 minutes - you want them crispy on the outside but still moist and chewy inside.

Sandwich together, when cooled, with butter icing. If you cant wait that long!

Easy Peasy

We thought we'd give you something quick to make while you're at home these public holidays:

Mushy Pea Dip

500g frozen peas, cooked according to packet instruction then drained
1 Tbs butter
1/4 cup sour cream or smooth cottage cheese
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Blitz all together in a food processor until smooth.
Serve with pita chips / nachoes or even with fried fish and chips, yum!

Almond Apple Cake

Good for Passover & Easter!

3 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 Tbs lemon juice
2 Tbs castor sugar
3 Tbs water

6 large eggs
325g ground almonds
275g castor sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 Tbs lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Spray a 22cm tin with non-stick spray.
2. Place the apples in a saucepan with the lemon juice, sugar and about 3 Tbs of water. Bring to the boil, then let simmer over a medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the apples are soft enough to mash. Mash with a fork and set aside.
3. Place the mashed apple, eggs, almonds, sugar, vanilla and lemon juice in a food processor or hand-held mixer and mix till combined.
4. Pour this mixture into your greased cake tin.
5. Bake for about 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
6. Leave to cool in the tin before dusting with icing sugar to serve.

St. Paddy's Day!

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with a stout float?

Scoop vanilla ice-cream into a pint glass. Pour in enough Guinness to fill it. And don't forget the dash of luck!

Yum!

Source: marthastewart.com