Thursday, February 09, 2017

Mamy Therese Madeleinerie

I know. I've been MIA again, and I am still immersed in coquillage (scallops) but this time the famous baked little cakes of Monsieur Proust.
Last Thursday I was invited to an early morning tasting at madeleinerie, Mamy Therese, brand new to Paris from Nancy located on 19 rue Saint-Antoine, 75004.
An adorable shop just a hop and a skip from Hotel du Sully by the way.
I've lost count of all the flavors but many use Nancienne products like mirabelle and bergamot
Look, even the spatula has scallop edges! With all the madeleines i've downed this week I'll soon grow a few scalloped edges myself...
These little cakes have nothing to do with church at Place Madeleine in case you were wondering. They are named after the cook who first made them. At. Mamy Therese their creater is chef Benoit Molin.
You may have heard of the French expression, "la madeleine de Proust". It refers to any food that brings back childhood memories. In fact in an early draft of "Rembrances of Things Past" it was a bit of toast with a smear of honey. Fortunately an editor, in the third draft suggested the madeleine instead. Aren't we lucky. What a delicious little morsel.
These golden orange tablier are handsome.
We get a detailed dissertation on madeleine structure and composition. Much tasting is included.
Mamy Therese's colors match nicely with Champagne Veuve Clicquot
Not just madeleines either. I spied these gorgeous croque monsieurs  lurking on a tray.
They gifted us tasters with a dozen box of different flavored madeleines. I had every intention of handing them directly over to my landlord. Ha. The best laid plans of mice etc.
Naturally immediately after I headed over to La Grand Epicerie. I remembered they had madeleines shaped exactly like scallop shells.
I thought I could pop them in the shells and paint them but it was not to be. They did taste quite nice though.
Time for another DIY paint a madeleine session this week PBers.
Simply trace around your madeleine with a pencil. 
Then throw in some watercolor washes using Yellow Ochre, Burnt Siena, Burnt Umber plus a blue for shadow. I like to paint the shadow first. Et voila! 
I made tons of these this week as bonus watercolors if you subscribe.
If you'd like to receive some PARIS MAIL take a look in Etsy. I'm adding past individual Paris letters and maps everyday. Plus lots of fun photos if you'd just like a vicarious stroll around Paris. 
Simply scroll. Cheers.

27 comments:

  1. It is the middle of the day in Illinois. I am not sure I want to get out my madeleine baking pans or my paints. Might have to do both. No place to get Madeleines in central Illinois. Love your pictures. You do have to sample what you draw.

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    1. I agree about the sampling...though i think I overdid IN spades!! Thank goodness I have no molds here...such a lovely buttery aroma...

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    2. Marilyn, I'm in California and I've bought madeleines at Target. They're surely not as good as the ones in Paris but they'll do in a pinch!

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    3. Will check it out. Thank you

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  2. I would have loved that!

    I saw a heart shaped madeleine pan on a blog and was never able to find one.Fun little things to make..the bag would have been Christmas for me..all filled.Lovely watercolors as always.
    Love the added stamp etc..but every time you add a cup..? ♥♥

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    1. What a lovely idea! I found them but no longer available? How can that be?
      Williams Sonoma Heart Madeleine Pan
      http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/williams-sonoma-madeline-pan-hearts/

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  3. Keep the scallops coming! Another scrumptious post!!!

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  4. Dear Carol~
    What perfect timing! As I will be visiting Paris in May, I will definitely add a *star next to "Mamy Therese." Naturally, when I check out, your marvelous post will get all the Kudos!

    Hum, wondering...will they have hazelnut? ;)
    Marcelita

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  5. Kathrine H1:29 PM

    I had never heard of croque monsieurs until Meryl Streep's character (in the movie "It's Complicated") made one for a guest. I still haven't tried it but it looks YUMMY!

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  6. Love this post, Carol, as I love Madeleines. This shop is across the street from the apartment e're renting in Sept. so I know where we'll be having a lot of our breakfasts.

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  7. Susie K1:33 PM

    I had to turn to Ina Garten for the technique that finally got them to puff...but mine do not have those wonderful center puffs that the ones you pictured have. Cannot wait to visit this place!!

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    1. Thanks for reminding me Susie,
      I meant to say how IMPORTANT that bump is on your classic madeleine...evidently not easy to achieve. Myself, I prefer the pretty scalloped side naturally, but the French Love that bump.

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  8. Cyndy S1:45 PM

    Love it all!! Putting it on our short to-do list for our short Paris visit!

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  9. Makes my mouth water!!!!

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  10. A whole blog about madeleines! Delicious! I hope I get to visit this shop in Paris to taste the different varieties. I didn't know they did scallop shaped ones, thanks for showing us. Your new paintings are lovely.

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    1. I hope you can too Kirra!
      I will take you there personally.the underside is always scalloped...part of its inimitable charm.

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  11. Robert H12:08 AM

    I need one of those wonderful yellow aprons to catch my saliva as I stare at all the madeleine.

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  12. Bonjour, I see that quite often you paint watercolors onto small papers and cardboards. Can you tell me how you keep your paper from buckling with the watery paints? By the way, your paintings are very lovely.

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    1. Thanks Glenna,
      Most decent real watercolor paper doesn't buckle.
      The cheap stuff? All the time.

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  13. Thanks for sending this deeeeelish post.

    I especially liked the final image of the Madeleines.

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  14. Jane G4:45 AM

    I grew up WITHOUT hearing about "les madeleines de Proust." And yet I have made for "temps perdu." ha ha. I love your individual madeleine cards!
    If I went to all the tastings you do, at all these pastry shops, I'd be YUUUUUGGGE!

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  15. Goodness those look wonderful!
    I’ve been making them with rosemary to give them a bit of a savory edge! Yummy!

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  16. I have missed you! Are you doing well! You spoil us with your adventures.

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    1. Tanks but...??? Working 24/7 to keep up with letters and, and, and...
      Still great and Finally I'm back in the pool after a months hiatus
      Splish, Splash!

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  17. Great watercolors, Carol, but I really love the photos - everybody is so natural, no sense of posing; great candids.

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  18. The madeleine has become so well known that you can buy them at Costco!.....of course, not particularly well baked, but, still, you don't have to make them yourself. Or should I say Oneself?

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