Paris is besotted with Confessions of a Shopaholic. You can not take a Metro or bus without confronting this image... Photo (c) The Selby.comSome people are SHOE-aholics as noted on The Selby.com... I am a MAC-aholic.
This trip, well last Friday to be exact, I brought home 19 (!) boxes of Parisien macarons (oui, reserche again). It was quite a challenge and required consultations with one of the world's best mac makers....
One thing I learned is look for macs packed in a box with no spaces like these at Dalloyau...
Look at the big spaces in Patisserie Carette's beautiful box. What to do?
Helene of Tartelette , Champion du Monde macaron-maker says, put little pads of tissue paper (Toilet paper or Kleenex) and fill in the spaces in the box so the macs don't bang around and crack.
I found a new place for macarons from M.O.F. pastry chef Pascal Caffet . His boxes are perfect for travel and preserving your macarons. I have yet to tastes them. Note each mac has it's own little compartment so it can't jump around.
A side view of macarons
from hyper marche Champion.
You get 12 macs for 6.50 euros. Pas mal. Consider it research to have a few bites from the bottom of the food chain as well as the top.
This global chain stores their macarons in compartmentalized containers.
But packs them loose in their fancy boxes. No protection.
Sharon said...You keep mentioning (and painting) macarons. What are they exactly? Describe what it feels like to eat one. They must be fantastique! ps: I'm living vicariously through your adventures!Take your average OREO cookie.
And you have all the components of a Parisien macaron.
2 lids or shells (coques) made of delicate, chewy meringue + a filling of jam (confiture), ganache (chocolate creme) or caramel.
Macarons are smaller than Oreos and don't keep long as a rule, so instant gratification is part of the joyous experience of eating them. miam miam
And they come in a vast and endless range of exotic flavors and rainbow colors. Some are even savory...
For much more info on macarons:MEETING THE FRENCH Macaron
How To Make Macarons at Lenotre
How To Make Macarons at Lenotre
Before I caught the plane Friday, I made a last minute dash to Gerard Mulot *Note the whole counter in the front of the store right is only macarons.
I should have put all my traveling macs into sacs/cabas instead of a giant BHV bag. I got stopped at French customs before boarding the plane. A shout went out like 8 times -Scan..scan...scan...scan!
What!
And I was wearing my French "macaron" T-shirt.
Am I a macaron-terroriste.
Is there metal in macarons?
At USA customs the guy asked me,
"Do you have any food?"And I was wearing my French "macaron" T-shirt.
Am I a macaron-terroriste.
Is there metal in macarons?
At USA customs the guy asked me,
"No, just cookies"
"OK, you're set".
Who knew US customs is easier on macs than the French?
