Macaroons
I don't know about you - but it's been quite a year. I feel like it's been that way for the last few years and I hear people saying things like "Can't wait for this year to be done!" and "Next year has to be better!" Here's what I think: You do the best you can with what you have - time passes - things go up and down - but you just do your best. The end of a year is a chance to look back at the past and reflect on all that transpired. Figure out what you might want to do differently. Pat yourself on the back for all that you made it through. Give someone a hug and tell them you love them. Life moves fast.
My 9 year old nieces favorite thing right now are macaroons. The french kind, not the coconut ones. And as her luck would have it - I love making them. So we whipped up a batch last week. It had been years since I made them and it brought back a flood of memories. Baking is a bit like smell for me. I have so many associations and memories with certain recipes that I get transported. Standing in the kitchen hearing instructions on how exactly to hold the pastry bag and do it quickly and efficiently so all the batter doesn't drip out of the bag. Anyone that's worked in a professional kitchen knows the pressure and finesse which everything must be done. And the yelling that ensues when it's not done right. Baking with kids is a completely different thing and it forces me to drop the perfection and loosen the reigns. It doesn't matter if you make a big fat mess or things don't come out right. You're having an experience - not for a controlled result - to have fun and share joy. This isn't always easy for me - but it's a wonderful lesson!
I'd like to approach this 'New Year' mentality with the same feeling. Just experience it. Make a mess. Enjoy the process. And laugh a lot.
This recipe is super easy. The hardest part is piping the batter out evenly!
MACAROONS
- 2ea egg whites
- 1/4 cup sugar, granulated
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 2tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- food coloring
Oven at 350.
Using a handheld mixer, stand mixer or a whisk - whisk egg whites with granulated sugar until stiff peaks form - about 5 minutes.
Fold in almond flour, confectioner's sugar, vanilla extract, salt and food coloring. Put batter into a pastry bag (or ziploc bag and cut the corner off!). Pipe out evenly spaced discs of batter. Bake about 13 minutes. Let cool. Sandwich with jam or other filling of your liking!