Mad about Macarons

Easy French Recipes with a Taste of Paris

What’s cooking this Autumn?

Jill Colonna

Quick Almond Milk Rice Pudding

10 Comments

March 21, 2020

A satisfying, healthy recipe for French riz au lait, using long-life cupboard ingredients. Creamy, delicious - yet gluten free and vegan. Made in just 35 minutes!

Jill Colonna

Quick French Apple Tart with Calvados Cream

18 Comments

November 14, 2019

This dessert is almost cheating! Made in 20 minutes using 2 Granny Smiths, ready-made butter puff pastry, honey, almonds, butter and Calvados. A veritable French fall recipe...

Jill Colonna

French Apple Crumble Cake

15 Comments

October 29, 2019

No eggs? This is a genius, easy gingerbread apple & oat crumble 'gateau' from French film director & screenwriter, Danièle Thompson. Enjoy chilled for dessert, teatime, or give a French touch to Thanksgiving.

Jill Colonna

Montmartre Chocolate Pastry Walk

14 Comments

October 19, 2019

Join me for an autumnal online stroll on my self-guided Montmartre walk - with less tourists. Taste the artistic ambience, macarons, madeleines - and perhaps leave 'Absinthe'-minded!

Jill Colonna

Saint-Germain Almond Cake

22 Comments

June 14, 2019

Created in the royal market town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye outside Paris in 1920. This delicious almond and rum glazed tart is so easy and a real crowd-pleaser.

Jill Colonna

Béarnaise Sauce - Recipe & Origins Near Paris

16 Comments

June 3, 2019

Ooh the simple Béarn-ecessities of life! This sublime French sauce is so easy to whisk up - did you know it was invented where Louis XIV was born near Paris?

Jill Colonna

Pear Belle Helene - A Parisian Musical Story

14 Comments

March 2, 2019

When music and dessert are pear-fect partners: this classic Parisian dessert was created by a famous French chef, inspired by a French soprano's voice singing Offenbach in Paris

Jill Colonna

Chicken Prune Tagine - Spicy Comfort Food

14 Comments

January 25, 2019

A gently spiced family favourite that's lighter than it looks. Light a candle, dim the lights and be transported to Morocco in Paris!

Jill Colonna

Bourdaloue Pear Tart - a Parisian Classic

10 Comments

December 8, 2018

Found in many patisseries at this time of year, this tart has been glazing around Paris since the 1900s when it was invented in Rue Bourdaloue.

Jill Colonna

Chocolate Ginger Fondant Cake

7 Comments

November 20, 2018

A spicy ginger twist to the French classic fudgy fondant. It's quick, easy and tastes even better next day. Based on a flourless chocolate cake from the Aquitaine region.

Jill Colonna

Chai Tea Creme Anglaise - Light French Custard

4 Comments

November 20, 2018

A cheeky spicy kick to the French classic custard sauce with Chai tea. Perfect with Chocolate Ginger Fondant Cake.

Chocolate Banana Marble Cake

10 Comments

October 29, 2018

A reduced sugar whirl cake perfect for breakfast or brunch, either topped with roasted banana or served at teatime with a fudgy dark chocolate ganache.

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Jill Colonna

Lightest French Chocolate Mousse - without cream

10 Comments

August 13, 2020

Our favourite fluffy and intensely bittersweet mousse for serious chocolate lovers - with NO CREAM! Now also on video with yours truly playing flute...

Jill Colonna

Mint Omelette - Corsican Style

17 Comments

July 23, 2020

Got mint & eggs? Enjoy this refreshing, authentic omelette from my husband's 'Island of Beauty' - and tips on what makes a Corsican omelette different to a French one. Now also on video.

Jill Colonna

Black Sesame Ice Cream

24 Comments

July 7, 2020

A taste of a delicious Japanese summer in Paris with this special ice cream. If you love peanut butter, you'll adore this - and it's healthy too. Serve with macarons or crispy sesame tuiles.

Jill Colonna

Rhubarb Hibiscus Compote - How to Make Green Rhubarb Pink with Tea!

2 Comments

June 27, 2020

Rhubarb too green? Naturally infuse it pink with an hibiscus teabag! The humble compote is low in sugar, vegan and freezes well too. No rhubarb? Try this recipe with summer fruits - it's a treat. Now on video!

Jill Colonna

Asparagus Clafoutis with Parmesan Sauce

20 Comments

June 18, 2020

An elegant yet simple summery starter or lunch. Serve with a crusty French baguette to mop up that gorgeous cheese sauce! NOW on VIDEO.

Jill Colonna

Strawberry Pistachio Clafoutis - Most Versatile Summer French Dessert

6 Comments

May 29, 2020

Now on video! Enjoy summer's fruity season with this twist to the French classic cherry baked custard. With pistachios or almonds for a gluten free breakfast, dessert or teatime treat.

Jill Colonna

Palets Bretons: French Salted Butter Biscuits

10 Comments

April 11, 2020

Now updated with accompanying step-by-step VIDEO to show how easy these treats are: irresistible salty-sweet biscuits from Brittany. We love them plain - but let's also dress them up for a garden tea party.

Jill Colonna

Fluffy Cheese Scones

16 Comments

March 28, 2020

How to make the lightest, high-rise cheesy scones in 40 minutes using only one egg. Suddenly teatime at home is very civilised. Now on VIDEO!

Jill Colonna

Crispy Sesame Tuiles

14 Comments

August 12, 2019

Bring a taste of Paris to your kitchen. Got 2 egg whites to use up? Rustle up these easy, delicious tuiles in just 30 mins! Now on VIDEO. Perfect with a pot of tea, served with ice cream or chocolate mousse.