“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”
Julia Child
And my mac addiction continues. January has been a month of sneaking into the kitchen when all the world is asleep, grabbing that aging egg white lying questionably on the counter, and whipping it up. The saga goes on, macronage and failed feet again and again. What for?? For MacTweets of course, where Jamie and me are calling for Mac-a-Valentines for the month of January for MacAttack 4. I present my failures and success for this attack … my love for macarons!!
Batch after batch, thankfully of single egg whites, seem to yield mixed results. I got 1 FEET in batch number 3??? Aaargh, at least get me a pair so I could come up with a decent picture! Strangely enough, one cookie sheet yields macarons in all hues. Some smooth shells/no feet, some cracked shells/yes feet, some blobs/no nothing …and so on! But mac-passionate me trudged along, and finally attempt 6 bore some feet. Well 6 pairs of feet, which is not bad from 1 batch. Sandwiched with a Nutella and milk chocolate ganache, the hub gave it 10/10! Not a bad apgar score for my new born feet huh?
He said he hadn’t tasted anything better! JOY!!
I’ve finally figured it was my oven. These fiddly creatures need an even heating throughout and my old dilapidated oven is not quite suited to these finicky creatures. Having folded the meringue and nut-sugar mix into a lava type macronage a million times at least, I know now that it’s not the whipping and folding that’s at fault. It’s become a 10 minute job for me now, from start to finish, using the Levobitz recipe. 1 egg white + 1/4 cup nut mixture + 1/2 cup sugar + 2.5tbsp granulated sugar…and I’m ready to pipe! You win some, you lose some. Er, in my case, I won some, lost loads.
These verrines are a result of 3 batches of failed macarons. Couldn’t stuff any more boxes. Besides, Meeta was away, so I had no one to give me any hiding suggestions. Racked my mac-weary brains and came up with something to put my feetless macs to good use. This seemed good enough for me. Thought I would do verrines, which are basically layered appetizers or desserts in a glass, so the layers are visible. Well, guess I’m not far from it here!
A verrine is a confection, originally from France, made by layering ingredients in a small glass. It can be either sweet or savoury, making a dessert or snack.
There are new words on every French lips: Verrines and apéritifs dînatoires. Verrines are a great ‘degustation’of mixed flavours. The kids love them and its a great way also of using up the leftovers. And if you wanted to go full-French, you could have an apéritif dînatoire during which you would serve des verrines délicieuses. Verrines are a beautiful way to serve food, and as the name indicates, the food is served in a glass, which allow for playing with layering and transparencies. If using oven- proof glasses, verrines can be served cooked, but they are often served cold.
In my verrines, there is a layer of pink pepper crushed macarons, followed by a layer of chopped strawberries and Bavarian cream, a layer of chocolate Aztec chili crushed macarons, Bavarian cream cream, pink pepper crushed macarons … and finally a topping of a slightly tart, thick gelee of frozen strawberries blended with vanilla sugar! What better way could I have used these silly failed macarons?
The verdict … all you could hear was the sound of spoons scraping glass in the backdrop of pin drop silence. “There had to me more!! Scrape, scrape!!” After there was no more, the boy came to the kitchen to leave his glass for a wash. He declared, ” Today was a nice day Mama. Finally learnt how to somersault, and had really nice dessert. It was very very nice!” It was indeed. I reduced the sugar in the Bavarian cream recipe keeping in mind how sweet macaron shells can be. The strawberries and Bavarian complimented the pink peppercorn and Aztec chili chocolate very well! Thank you Anushruti for the pink peppercorn, and Val for sending me an assortment of pretty glass bottles filled with spice blends. They are from an artisanal food company, ‘Made With Love, and are gorgeous.
As I write this post, my mind is galloping in many directions, and I know in future you shall see more of these hodge podge desserts as MacTweets is a monthly affair! Having traced the problem to a finicky oven that doesn’t give uniform heat, I know I shall find a few feet each time, and lots of feetless ones!! To all those of you who are scared of mac-feet-failure, fear not. These verrines are a fine destination for them. Layer the verrines with mascarpone if you’d rather, but do give it a shot!
Strawberry & Chocolate Mac-a-Verrines Makes 8 servings Macarons – crushed, from a batch of 3 egg whites, recipe here. (Or you can use biscuit/wafer/cake crumbs of your choice) 250gms strawberries, 100gms chopped, and the rest for the gelee Bavarian Cream – 1 quantity (recipe below) Strawberry Gelee – 1 quantity (recipe below)
TO ASSEMBLE:
Add 1-2 tbsps of pink pepper crushed macarons, followed by a layer of chopped strawberries and 1-2 tbsps of Bavarian cream. Then a layer of chocolate chili macarons, followed by another layer of Bavarian cream, and then one of crushed macarons again.
Top the verrines with 1-2 tbsps of gelee each, followed by chcolate shavings etc.
Bavarian Cream 3 egg yolks 1/4 cup vanilla sugar 300ml whole milk, hot 1/4 cup sugar 3/8cup cornflour 1 vanilla bean, scraped 200ml cream, whipped to soft peaks Method;
Simmer the whole milk, scraped seeds from the vanilla bean, bean and 1/4 cup sugar in a pan for 15 minutes to infuse the flavours from the bean.
Whisk the yolks with 1/4 cup sugar in a micxing bowl, and then whick in the cornflour.
Remove the milk from the hat, whick in the yolk mixture, return pan to simmer and continue whisking till it thickens to a nice custard (about 4-5 minutes).
Take off, remove the bean and cool completely. You can hasten this by stirring the custard over a bowl of ice.
Once cool, fold in the unsweetend whipped cream, gently and thoroughly
Strawberry Gelee (faux)
150gms Strawberries (frozen)
1/4-1/2 cup vanilla sugar (depending on how sweet/tart the fruit is)
Method:
Make a faux gelee of frozen strawberries blended with vanilla sugar! Let it sit for about 30minutes to get into a gel like consistency.
I didn’t use gelatin because it is very cold these days, and so I got a good consistency for topping. You might consider using some gelatin in case the weather is warm.
Do you want to join us making MACARONS?? If you do, you are most welcome to join the challenge. You can find all the information at our dedicated macaron blog MacTweets. The rules for Mac Attack #4 can be found here. You still have until the 10th of February to join us with happy feet!
Chocolate Nut Macarons Recipe adapted fromDavid Lebovitzs’ Makes 12-15 macarons 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup milled nut flour (from Linswood UK) 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1 egg white, aged 2 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar Pinch of cream of tartar (or 1 drop of lime juice) Method:
Run the powdered sugar, nut mix and cocoa in a blender and then pass through a fine sieve.
Whip the egg white for a few seconds until just foamy. Add the cream of tartar and granulated sugar and whip to a glossy meringue. (If you hold the bowl upside dow, it shouldn’t fall out…try this at your own risk!!). Don’t overbeat the whites.
Add the sifted nut-sugar-cocoa mix to this and fold through gently to get a lava type macronage.
Pipe onto parchment paper, and allow to rest for 2 hours.
Bake at 140C for 12-15minutes, until they feel firm. Touch them lightly, and if they are still jiggly, give them a minute or two more.
Take out tray and transfer macarons to a cooling rack. You can spray the bottom of the parchment paper with water to help release the bottoms.
I sandwiched them with a milk chocolate ganache mixed with a tablespoon of Nutella.
Note: My failed macarons were made with almond meal. One batch had pink peppercorn flavouring it, and the other had an Aztec chili chocolate sugar blend added to it while blending.
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
Wow! Wow! Now I am hoping that some of my macs fail so I can make verrines too. Gorgeous and so perfect for Valentine's Day! You never ever cease to amaze me! Hugs!
Shame they didn't come out right. Never mind, the verrines are gorgeous. Have you tried leaving the oven door ajar with a wooden spoon? Might work, you never know.
There are lots of things I love about this post: the red sauce on top for valentines, the strawberries, the spotty box you've presented them in, the spotty ribbon but most of all I love those chocolate shapes on the top of the verrines. These are lovely and I would like to try doing some of those for my desserts soon. Am stumbling you. xx
We love your blog space..everything looks soo mouthwatering..Just send across anything of it and we'll be waiting with our mouths wide open… These Macarons are a great idea for Valentines Day..
Never fear failures for through them, we learn and create something new with it. That's my cooking motto. LOL! Cooking in Singapore, I'm used to it but cooking in France, change of climate and environment is something I didn't think about when I cooked my very first fried noodles and fried rice trying to impress my in laws during my first year in France. Both times, it was glued together like a ball. The more I try to stir-fry it, the bigger the ball became. You can imagine the horror on my face and for the life of me, I couldn't understand why it turned out this way. LOL!
You are so creative! Your Strawberry & Chocolate Mac-a-Verrines is awesome! Looks so delicious i wish i can eat it right now! And beautiful gorgeous looking macarons! I love your presentation and food styling! And of course beautiful photos!
Failures – What Failures. Your macaroons and verrines look divine and sound very tasty. Excellent photos. Deeba your blog is beautifully presented and there are so many taste tempting recipes to try.
I am totally understaning, when my oven was messing me up i was feeling always tensed when i baked in the end. I am glad i invested in a new one. I love making Verrines for dinner parties they are always a show stopper and this one looks so so beautiful and delicous and i am in love with that box where you have piled up you macs.
What a great idea for using up less than perfect macarons. Looks delicious – and great compliment from the boy! I actually have some macarons to submit to Mactweets this month. My first French method versions. 🙂
Deeba, this looks stunning! Now,I really want some.As for the macs, I've still got to get mine done, don't know whether I'll find my feet!Good or bad oven, they are very temperamental indeed!
I am not a baking success story so macarons are not something I will ever try. I will be content to purchase them whenever I see them..sigh… and try Bavarian Cream instead:D That is my mantra.
What a deliciously playful post this is, Deeba! I smiled the entire time I was reading it. And your many photos are so lovely. Valentine's is going to be mac-tacular at your house!
I share your pain my friend… I bet you remember my laughable macarons LOL Very nice the flavours combinations in your verrines. I see that you finally got some pink pepper 😉 And, dulcis in fundo, your pics; whatta treat!
I share your pain my friend… I bet you remember my laughable macarons LOL Very nice the flavours combinations in your verrines. I see that you finally got some pink pepper 😉 And, dulcis in fundo, your pics; whatta treat!
Wow, you are wonderful. I love the way you used your feet-less macarons! You gave me new hope and courage to try again! 🙂 I have to hurry so I can join this months Mac-attack 🙂
failed macs?? I am seeing success after success. you rock though and I love your energy always bouncing back up. Obviously you do not need me to find you new hiding places for your macs you found them in these verrines!!
Ist of all those nutella orange rolls down below looks so damn enticing ! yUM !!!
and as for the macarons, everyday i tell myself today i shall try them , n then …. errr it never happens ! Gosh they look so lovely and beautiful presentation too.
Another scrumptious post, Deeba! Absolutely GORGEOUS photographs! Your creativity shines yet again. I'd be delighted to eat your "fails" every day of the week. And the chocolate butterflies & hearts are such an elegant and lovely touch to finish off the verrines. I've never made or had a verrine, but they are now on my list for 2010. The Bavarian cream sounds really yummy, too. *hugs* Dani
Deeba..I love that you incorporated macs into yummy verrines! They look so amazing! My macs failed miserably, so I tried to bury them in chocolate and strawberries lol Thanks for this month's mac challenge!
These verrine's look delicious. I am always looking for a way to use up those extra/failed shells so will definitely try this next time. That quote from Julia Child is very inspiring and something I need to keep in mind
Deeba, I love what you did with these macs. I have often thought of crushing them into a gelato of some sorts but we always end up eating them. I love the chili w/strawberry – great combination. Looking forward to trying something similar once we have strawberry season here.
Happy valentines day!! I know what you mean when you talk about an oven not doing what it should be doing. I sort of got to learn how mine operates but it still remains a challenge. I love your macarons though and those verrines… hmm, I can see why there was a lot of scraping!
Stunning! I was googling images for inspiration and should have just known better and come here straight away – since the search result at the very top points to you. You're such an inspiration: 'mac-a-verrines' . so creative!
62 Comments
Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite
You clearly need a new oven!!! 😉 But with "failures" like that, I should think you wouldn't be too unhappy! Beautiful feet, too!
diva
beautiful feet Deeba. You inspire me, despite your failures u always get up and try again 🙂 I love all the pictures. They're such happy pics! xxx
Suma
Agree with Diva… U truly inspire Deeba!! Am dazed every time I see those pictures. Am sure those verrines tasted as good too!!
Jamie
Wow! Wow! Now I am hoping that some of my macs fail so I can make verrines too. Gorgeous and so perfect for Valentine's Day! You never ever cease to amaze me! Hugs!
Nicisme
Shame they didn't come out right. Never mind, the verrines are gorgeous.
Have you tried leaving the oven door ajar with a wooden spoon? Might work, you never know.
Gloria
OH MY GOD! DEeba they look absolutely georgeus, I think you really was inspired, je,je!!
please what failures??? give me a break!! All look beautiful!!! xoxoxox gloria
Asha @ FSK
Great turnaround! :)) perhaps time for a new oven???
Rosa's Yummy Yums
Great Valentine's Day dessert ideas! So sweet!
Cheers,
Rosa
lisa
Good to know about your oven problem! And, great use of your macs. I love your chocolate decorations on each verrine!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
There are lots of things I love about this post: the red sauce on top for valentines, the strawberries, the spotty box you've presented them in, the spotty ribbon but most of all I love those chocolate shapes on the top of the verrines. These are lovely and I would like to try doing some of those for my desserts soon. Am stumbling you. xx
Kitchen Butterfly
These are propstastic. Beautiful. Congrats on your feet finding mission…..and may the FORCE be with you. As it clearly wasn't with me. *sniff sniff*
noble pig
Deeba, so beautiful, you are so, so talented.
AdukalaVishesham
We love your blog space..everything looks soo mouthwatering..Just send across anything of it and we'll be waiting with our mouths wide open… These Macarons are a great idea for Valentines Day..
The Cooking Ninja
Never fear failures for through them, we learn and create something new with it. That's my cooking motto. LOL! Cooking in Singapore, I'm used to it but cooking in France, change of climate and environment is something I didn't think about when I cooked my very first fried noodles and fried rice trying to impress my in laws during my first year in France. Both times, it was glued together like a ball. The more I try to stir-fry it, the bigger the ball became. You can imagine the horror on my face and for the life of me, I couldn't understand why it turned out this way. LOL!
Gera @ SweetsFoodsBlog
Failed macarons, are you kidding me?
I'm seeing pure sweetness on this post, totally appropriated for Valentine's Day 🙂
All the best,
Gera
Joy
I just had to say – YOU take the most beautiful photos – you are an inspiration 🙂
faithy, the baker
You are so creative! Your Strawberry & Chocolate Mac-a-Verrines is awesome! Looks so delicious i wish i can eat it right now! And beautiful gorgeous looking macarons! I love your presentation and food styling! And of course beautiful photos!
Barbara Bakes
The dessert looks so fabulous I might have to whip up a batch of failed macs just to make it!
Nina
You inspire me Deeba….loved ur dessert.You rock:)
Wanda
Failures – What Failures. Your macaroons and verrines look divine and sound very tasty. Excellent photos.
Deeba your blog is beautifully presented and there are so many taste tempting recipes to try.
Bethany (Dirty Kitchen Secrets)
Neither is my oven! I hate my oven and remember when I told you I had the same problem! You're so creative and love the turnaround! Well done!
Happy Cook
I am totally understaning, when my oven was messing me up i was feeling always tensed when i baked in the end. I am glad i invested in a new one.
I love making Verrines for dinner parties they are always a show stopper and this one looks so so beautiful and delicous and i am in love with that box where you have piled up you macs.
Fearless Kitchen
What a great solution to your oven problem!
Julia @Mélanger
What a great idea for using up less than perfect macarons. Looks delicious – and great compliment from the boy! I actually have some macarons to submit to Mactweets this month. My first French method versions. 🙂
RedFenyx
Great pictures, great colours and YuM! Everything seem to be delicious!
shaz
Gorgeous! Gorgeous ! Gorgeous Deeba – and apgar scores for macs- you crack me up so much 🙂
I'd better get a move on for this months Mac-attack !
Cheers
Shazzaroni (aka Shaz :))
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
As always Deeba you are absolutely on trend and absolutely stylish in your execution! My eyes didn't know what to devour first! 😀
sunita
Deeba, this looks stunning! Now,I really want some.As for the macs, I've still got to get mine done, don't know whether I'll find my feet!Good or bad oven, they are very temperamental indeed!
Bellini Valli
I am not a baking success story so macarons are not something I will ever try. I will be content to purchase them whenever I see them..sigh… and try Bavarian Cream instead:D That is my mantra.
Susan from Food Blogga
What a deliciously playful post this is, Deeba! I smiled the entire time I was reading it. And your many photos are so lovely. Valentine's is going to be mac-tacular at your house!
Alessio Fangano
I share your pain my friend… I bet you remember my laughable macarons LOL
Very nice the flavours combinations in your verrines. I see that you finally got some pink pepper 😉
And, dulcis in fundo, your pics; whatta treat!
Alessio Fangano
I share your pain my friend… I bet you remember my laughable macarons LOL
Very nice the flavours combinations in your verrines. I see that you finally got some pink pepper 😉
And, dulcis in fundo, your pics; whatta treat!
Federica
splendido post, deliziosi biscotti! complimenti!
Coffee and Vanilla
I love it Deeba… images, composition, desserts, everything looks just perfect! 🙂
Sari
Wow, you are wonderful. I love the way you used your feet-less macarons! You gave me new hope and courage to try again! 🙂 I have to hurry so I can join this months Mac-attack 🙂
Divya Vikram
This looks so gorgeous! Long since I dropped by here. Amazing recipes!
Megan Gordon
Amazing! I'm blown away by your mac persistence…I fell off the wagon awhile ago 🙂 But always fun to read your insanely beautiful posts!
Ranjani
Such decadence!
bake in paris
So glad you have made the best out of the macarons…. This Strawberry & Chocolate Mac-a-Verrines looks delicious….. a very special dessert for family!
Sawadee from bangkok,
Kris
Anita
Everything looks gorgeously made. I have had troubles with my oven and macarons…
Ketty
Excellent! They're really perfect!
Natashya KitchenPuppies
Oh my, I wish I lived closer!
Haddock
Like the display there
cookeaze
Wow, your pictures are just stunning and this recipe looks a good challenge to me. Thanks for your inspiration.
Sophie
Wow,…FABULOUS desserts, Deeba!!
You are certainly the master in culinary baking & dessert making!!!
OOh, gosh, I would love to eat one or at least 2 verrines right about now!
MeetaK
failed macs?? I am seeing success after success. you rock though and I love your energy always bouncing back up. Obviously you do not need me to find you new hiding places for your macs you found them in these verrines!!
Mary
What a gorgeous post. You are really talented. Everything is beautiful. I think I'm envious. I know I'm hungry.
Kajal - Aapplemint
Ist of all those nutella orange rolls down below looks so damn enticing ! yUM !!!
and as for the macarons, everyday i tell myself today i shall try them , n then …. errr it never happens ! Gosh they look so lovely and beautiful presentation too.
pigpigscorner
Beautiful! You are getting really good at this!
foodie ffanatic
Another scrumptious post, Deeba! Absolutely GORGEOUS photographs! Your creativity shines yet again. I'd be delighted to eat your "fails" every day of the week. And the chocolate butterflies & hearts are such an elegant and lovely touch to finish off the verrines. I've never made or had a verrine, but they are now on my list for 2010. The Bavarian cream sounds really yummy, too. *hugs* Dani
Nags
so pretty 🙂
Helene
Totally love your verrines. I will have to start making some. They look so pretty.
Jasmine
another idea for 'failed' macarons are in an etons mess with whipped cream and fresh berries! almost better than a successful macaron… well, almost…
Lisa
Deeba..I love that you incorporated macs into yummy verrines! They look so amazing! My macs failed miserably, so I tried to bury them in chocolate and strawberries lol Thanks for this month's mac challenge!
RJ Flamingo
Love your verrines and your macs, as always! You're so creative, Deeba – and adventurous!
Funny enough, it wasn't the macs that defeated me this time – it was the filling! Hope I don't get demerits for naked macs. 😀
Mamatkamal
As usual, great pictures great macarons. I love your blog, it's amazing.
Cheers.
Edd
These verrine's look delicious. I am always looking for a way to use up those extra/failed shells so will definitely try this next time. That quote from Julia Child is very inspiring and something I need to keep in mind
Chez Us
Deeba, I love what you did with these macs. I have often thought of crushing them into a gelato of some sorts but we always end up eating them. I love the chili w/strawberry – great combination. Looking forward to trying something similar once we have strawberry season here.
Happy Valentines!
xx oo
Junglefrog
Happy valentines day!! I know what you mean when you talk about an oven not doing what it should be doing. I sort of got to learn how mine operates but it still remains a challenge. I love your macarons though and those verrines… hmm, I can see why there was a lot of scraping!
Cristie
I love the bavarian cream recipe, can't wait to try it out. No doubt I'll have a few failed attempts of my own to use. Beautiful desserts!
Grapefruit
Stunning! I was googling images for inspiration and should have just known better and come here straight away – since the search result at the very top points to you.
You're such an inspiration: 'mac-a-verrines' . so creative!
catherine
Eye catching pictures. Beautiful!