A Mad Macaron Weekend in Paris

By on March 24, 2011 in Blog, Bonus Macarons

poster booksigning

What a weekend. Still recovering, I’m now bunged up with a horrible cold to welcome Spring :-(
I’m sure some of you heard that it was the Fête du Macaron in Paris.  Did YOU get your dose of macarons?  To honour the fête, Brentano’s American Bookstore in Paris kindly invited me for a booksigning.  Thank you, Catherine!

It was great fun meeting new curious macaronivores-to-be. I do hope they will stay in touch via the website to say hello and even share their macarons with us!  There were readers from Japan, America, Sweden, Slovenia and even France! I was assured the French liked it in English since it’s good for their English practise and what better way to learn through making macarons.  I can’t argue with that.
THEN the riot police turned up on the Avenue de l’Opéra…

Riot police & Mad About Macarons! Still smiling?

Had they perhaps heard about the macaronivores in town? ;-)
One fascinating lady who was in town over the weekend and who is definitely no stranger to the macaron is Carol Gillott, an artist who paints Paris dreams.  If you don’t know her already you soon will via her website, ParisBreakfasts.  Check out her amazing macaron T-shirt for a start.

Hm.  It was tough choosing from the pastry menu plus the best hot chocolate in the city chez Jean-Paul Hevin. His pastries are show-cased like in a Swatch store.

Following my pâtisserie tasting with Carol, I couldn’t resist the temptation to make my own version of Jean-Paul Hevin’s chocolate-raspberry macarons back home.

Chocolate-raspberry macarons: I added plenty of pink food colouring into the shells as well as a few drops of natural raspberry essence (I got that at Mora).  For the chocolate ganache, I followed the recipe in the book on page 47 but replaced the teaspoon of coffee with a teaspoon of raspberry essence and added 100g of crushed raspberries into the melting chocolate (even better, Picard in France do bags of frozen crushed raspberries when it’s not in season.)

To add even more raspberry flavour, I’ve discovered a brand new line of natural mini square fruit pastels that are to die for called “N.A. (Nature Addicts)“.  They’re everywhere in Paris just now at the check-outs and the kids are crazy about them. Just slip one on top of the ganache and add a bit more ganache on top of the square before putting on the top macaron shell.  Wait for 36 hours and you’ll see why you need to wait before eating them.

Chocolate-raspberry macarons

For those of you who missed the Fête du Macaron, it’s not too late! There’s still time before Sunday 27th March to enter our Giveaway.  To celebrate Waverley Books are giving a copy to FIVE lucky winners, so don’t just sit there: pass on the macaron word…

Now it’s time to nurse that cold. They say that when you have a cold you need to feed it, right?  So I’m doing just that and with plenty of garlic.  Last night I started with an extra-garlic-infused recipe for sweet potato gnocchi.  I’m feeling a bit better already.  Just as well there are no booksignings this weekend and you’re all far away! ;-)

Are you mad about macarons for afternoon tea? Careful, the riot police may find out...

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32 Responses to A Mad Macaron Weekend in Paris

  1. Plateful April 11, 2011 at 07:32 #

    Ahhh, Paris the city of love and macaroons the love of my life! In all honesty I have to say that you have floored me with just the title of the post, not to mention the catchy title of your blog. Yeah, I am mad about macaroon and my kids, too! I baked rasberry macroons y’day too but for some reason I haven’t yet mastered the skills. Sometimes they turn out looking perfect and sometimes it’s a mess. I’m gonna bookmark all your macroon recipes and tips and read them at leisure for better success. Gonna follow your fan club to keep track of all that you dish out. I’m so glad to have found you through our mutual friend, Thoma from Kitchenmorph! Cheers!

    Reply
  2. parisbreakfast April 6, 2011 at 11:02 #

    Ooops I didn’t know, but then I was on the train to Venice..not such a bad excuse right?
    Thanks for sharing so many inside macaron making tips Jill.
    http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2011/03/mad-about-macarons-with-jill-colonna.html
    And thanks for the delicious bite at J-P Hevin’s Chocolate Bar!
    What a treat.
    I love your choco-framboise-inspired macarons.
    xxCarolg

    Reply
    • Jill April 6, 2011 at 11:32 #

      Carol, it was great fun and you are such an inspiration! Let’s have some more pâtisserie goodies together next time!
      Jill xo

      Reply
  3. Kim - Liv Life March 30, 2011 at 22:57 #

    What a fun day!! We’ve so far been lucky and have avoided the spring cold, but then Liv had on that lasted the entire winter. 2 rounds and 40 days of anibiotics later she is one healthy girl again! Hang in there, may it pass quickly.
    LOVE the Raspberry flavors!! I’ve not used the raspberry essence, but will have to keep an eye out for that. Personally, I think raspberry and chocolate are an ideal match.
    Feel better!

    Reply
  4. All That I'm Eating March 30, 2011 at 20:16 #

    It looks like you had a great time – congratulations! The raspberry chocolate macarons sounds amazing.

    Reply
  5. Cristina March 30, 2011 at 16:27 #

    Hi Jill: I hope you’re feeling better and have recovered from your cold. Please let us know if you plan to tour in the US – would luv the oppty to meet you and get my book signed. =)

    I am enjoying making macarons. The more I make them, the better I get making these little edible works of art. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the elation of baking a successful batch. ;)

    Reply
    • Jill March 31, 2011 at 13:42 #

      Hi Cristina,
      Gosh, I would LOVE to come to the US with the book. No plans as yet, but will keep you posted. I love all your posts on macarons: you definitely have it down to a fine art!

      Reply
  6. Kristen March 30, 2011 at 15:40 #

    What fun it must have been for you to meet people who share or are developing your passion for macarons. Congratulations on that beautiful book.

    Reply
  7. Claudia March 30, 2011 at 13:46 #

    Oh to be in Paris! Oh to be eating macarons! So glad you fended off the riot police. Whew.

    Reply
  8. Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz March 29, 2011 at 17:49 #

    I hear you about the cold, fighting it myself. but looks like an awesome time in Paris and chocolate raspberry is so amazing together. How about a garlic macaron to fight colds…call it the Pill! lol

    Reply
  9. Jay March 29, 2011 at 11:58 #

    Hy,
    chanced upon your space while blog hopping…very interesting blog you have …awesome posts..
    happy to follow u..:)
    do stop by mine sometime..
    Tasty Appetite

    Reply
  10. visda March 29, 2011 at 00:26 #

    when do you come for booksigning in San Francisco?
    I had a Parisian friend visiting this weekend and we consumed our fair share of macarons for Fête du Macaron this weekend in SF coffee shops but is nothing close to your creative versions. :-)
    Hope you get well soon and have a good week.

    Reply
  11. Pauline March 28, 2011 at 22:08 #

    What men won’t do for one of your macaroons, even dress up in riot gear apparently :-) I’d be shoving ahead to get in the queue first too, I love raspberry, tang and a sweet sensation all in one go plus a choccy fix. Am so jealous of your pic choosing pastries too …

    Reply
  12. Susan March 28, 2011 at 17:11 #

    Wow, Jill! How exciting! Congratulations! Hope you get some rest & get back on your feet soon.

    Reply
  13. 5 Star Foodie March 28, 2011 at 11:23 #

    The experience in Paris sounds great! And those raspberry & chocolate macaroons sound so delicious! Hope you feel better soon :)

    Reply
  14. Malli's Mint and Mimosas March 27, 2011 at 22:05 #

    Chocolate and raspberries my all-time favorite…. and you have some ravishing macaroons here….Great Job
    & Cheers

    Reply
  15. Kate @ Diethood.com March 27, 2011 at 16:08 #

    You look beautiful, my dear friend… ammmmazing!
    I’ll have you know that I am about to make some macarons… it’s Sunday, after all. :) I am still trying to work out the filling… not sure what I want. I’ll share them virtually with you and the rest of our readers. Take care! (((hugs)))

    Reply
  16. briarrose March 26, 2011 at 19:23 #

    Hopefully you will feel better soon. :) Sounds like a bit of a wild ride there.

    The chocolate raspberry macarons look perfect. I adore the color.

    Reply
  17. Chef Dennis March 26, 2011 at 18:43 #

    what I wouldn’t give to be in Paris, what a wonderful city, and I love Carol’s drawings, she would be my first choice to do the drawings for my book! I’m so happy to hear your book signing went well, will you be in the states to do any book signings?

    Your Macaroons are incredible as usual, the chocolate against that gorgeous raspberry looks heavenly!

    Cheers
    Dennis

    Reply
  18. Dimah March 26, 2011 at 12:55 #

    The Macarons look wonderful!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the kind comment!

    Reply
  19. Liz March 26, 2011 at 12:20 #

    Feel better soon, Jill! Gorgeous color on your macarons…and perfect for the fete~

    Reply
  20. Lisa McDonnell March 26, 2011 at 03:15 #

    I hope your book signing was a smashing success! And get well soon!

    Reply
  21. egb March 26, 2011 at 02:17 #

    So jealous of your trip to Paris! The Macarons look wonderful!

    Reply
  22. Janis March 25, 2011 at 23:04 #

    Beautiful! Sorry about the cold. Since you can’t taste with a cold can you please send the beautiful little morsels to me? Feel better soon, hon.

    Reply
  23. Becky March 25, 2011 at 21:25 #

    Those chocolate raspberry macrons are lovely. I can’t wait t make them once I win the book:)

    Hope that you are feeling better soon. Chicken soup is good for a cold.

    Reply
  24. Cakewhiz March 25, 2011 at 21:14 #

    Seems like you had a splendid day and hope you are feeling better. I wish i was in paris….

    Reply
  25. Brandie March 25, 2011 at 13:42 #

    That has to be my new favorite word: macaronivores. LOL – love it! Jill, the riot police are around because you are such a riot to be around! Enjoyed your pictures – you are such a lovely gal :)

    Reply
  26. marina mott March 25, 2011 at 12:43 #

    Hi!! First of all I hope you feel better soon!
    What a great weekend! I am Carl’s biggest fan! Love her paintings and her blog.
    Now I am your fan too! As I told you I bougth your book and I am wainting the delivery…I hope it comes fast! I am sure I will love it!
    I wish you a big sucess!!
    Kisses and hugs!
    Marina Mott

    Reply
  27. Manu March 25, 2011 at 01:43 #

    Wish I was in Paris too! I used to go there often when living in Milan… from here it is not as easy… ;-)
    Those chocolate-raspberry macarons sound sooooo delicious!!!! You are truly talented Jill!

    Baci

    Reply
  28. Magic of Spice March 24, 2011 at 15:22 #

    Sounds like such a fun day…sorry about your cold, hope you feel better soon! Garlic always makes me feel better too ;)

    Reply
  29. Jill March 24, 2011 at 14:05 #

    Hey, Adam! No worries: when you come to Paris we’ll have plenty of macaron days. Lots of tastings to do but don’t want any fat pants! :-)

    Reply
  30. Paris Pâtisseries March 24, 2011 at 13:49 #

    Very cool. Sounds like you had a fun day! Clearly your book signing got out of cotrol, if the riot police had to be called ;) I missed-out on macarons on macaron day, but I plan to have months of macarons soon — so I think that will make up for it. Can’t wait to sample yours. – Adam

    Reply

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