Mad About Macarons! A French – Scottish Food Blog in Paris

May 11, 2019

Celebrate rhubarb and rose season with this light financier-style French cake for teatime, breakfast or brunch.

10 Reasons to Visit Honfleur, Normandy

April 27, 2019

What to see and do in this romantic French town and what makes it such a popular getaway - only 2 hours drive from Paris

Jill Colonna

Chocolate Easter Bunny Birthday Cake

4 Comments

April 18, 2019

Great for Easter, birthdays or baby showers: hidden dark, moist chocolate cake topped with the easiest reduced sugar white chocolate buttercream. So good, you'll want it at any time of year!

Jill Colonna

Chocolate Hazelnut Pear Crumble

20 Comments

March 16, 2019

Comfort food dessert at its best - with a healthy dose of bittersweet chocolate that melts into the vanilla fruit, topped with oats.

Jill Colonna

Poire Belle Helene - A Musical Story

14 Comments

March 2, 2019

When music and dessert are pair-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

Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding

15 Comments

February 20, 2019

Up close with the most lush, dark, comfort-food classic dessert with apple - seeing blurry? Looking for a spoon? You may have sticky toffee pudding syndrome. Quick and check out the solutions...

Hottest Paris Food Tour #parisfoodtour #paristravel

The Hottest Paris Food Tour

10 Comments

February 18, 2019

A great introduction to traditional French foods for your trip to Paris, enjoyed in relaxed restaurant settings in the lovely Marais.

Jill Colonna

Caramelised Pineapple Rice Pudding (Riz Condé)

17 Comments

February 8, 2019

French riz au lait served "à la Condé", a chic yet simple vanilla rice pudding with pineapple. Kicking off an exciting Alexandre Dumas culinary challenge.

Jill Colonna

Raspberry Vegan Macarons: Aquafaba French Meringue

14 Comments

January 31, 2019

How to make picture perfect macarons without any egg whites or dairy in sight. Vegan macaron tips and tasting test conclusions.

Jill Colonna

Chicken Prune Tagine - Spicy Comfort Food

14 Comments

January 25, 2019

A gently spiced winter warmer that's lighter than it looks. Light a candle, dim the lights and be transported to Morocco - or Paris!

Jill Colonna

Cranachan Parfait - An Iced Scottish Dessert

10 Comments

January 20, 2019

My French twist to the traditional Scottish dessert of cream, honey, Whisky, oats and raspberries for Burn's Night, St Andrew's Night, St Valentine's - or any occasion.

Jill Colonna

Smoked Tea Beurre Blanc Salmon

6 Comments

January 12, 2019

A French-Scottish alliance on a plate for Burn's Night - with my smoky twist to the classic beurre blanc lemon sauce using a simple Lapsang Souchong teabag.

Jill Colonna @Mad About Macarons

Melting Meringue Snowballs

11 Comments

December 16, 2018

French meringues generously filled with hazelnut praline, lemon jelly, vanilla cream and candied chestnut for a light, festive dessert that's just waiting for you to 'throw' a party!

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

Butternut Walnut Gratin - Playing Winter Squash

8 Comments

December 4, 2018

Make this winter comforter in one healthy dish for the family or en amoureux. Delicious veggies with toasted walnuts for the crunch that cling to a layer of melted cheese.

Jill Colonna

Renoir Tour: Chatou - Carrieres-sur-Seine

14 Comments

December 1, 2018

Venture out of Paris for an afternoon on one of the four Impressionist's walks in les Yvelines, only 10km west of the city and discover some surprises!

Jill Colonna

Chocolate Ginger Fondant Cake

7 Comments

November 20, 2018

A spicy ginger twist to the French classic fudgy fondant that's not only quick and easy but tastes even better next day. Easy to prepare a gluten-free version too.

Jill Colonna

Chai Tea Creme Anglaise - Light French Custard

4 Comments

November 20, 2018

An Autumnal spicy kick to the French classic custard sauce - perfect with the Chocolate Ginger Fondant Cake.

Jill Colonna

Gratin Dauphinois - French Creamy Potato Bake

8 Comments

November 15, 2018

Enjoy this easy French classic, a winter warming side-dish guaranteed to please and add a wee touch of extra luxury...

Jill Colonna

Pumpkin Pecan Chestnut Flour Tart

4 Comments

November 12, 2018

Inspired by the colourful Autumnal scenes in Paris, taste Autumn on a plate with this lush vegetarian French tart for the holiday season.

Chocolate Banana Marble Cake

8 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.

NEW! Top Paris Tea Salons (by Arrondissement)

May Your Month Be Delicious …

The Hottest Paris Food Tour

10 Comments

February 18, 2019

A great introduction to traditional French foods for your trip to Paris, enjoyed in relaxed restaurant settings in the lovely Marais.

Jill Colonna

Goat Cheese & Walnut Pasta Sauce

6 Comments

September 22, 2018

My saucy, creamy pasta version of the French classic, Salade de Chèvre Chaud to bring the warm sunshine to the table at any time of year

Jill Colonna

Black Sesame Ice Cream

20 Comments

September 17, 2018

A taste of a delicious Japanese summer in Paris with this special ice cream. If you love peanut butter, you'll adore this - and much healthier too. Serve with macarons for that extra touch.

Jill Colonna

Teatime in Japan

8 Comments

September 12, 2018

Join our discovery of traditional sweet treats (wagashi), ice creams and a traditional tea ceremony learning some Japanese culture along the way

Jill Colonna

Asparagus Clafoutis with Parmesan Sauce

14 Comments

June 14, 2018

An elegant yet simple summery starter or supper. Serve with crusty French baguette to mop up the silky cheese sauce or serve with lemon

Jill Colonna

Strawberry Pistachio Clafoutis

6 Comments

May 31, 2018

Fancy a fresh strawberry twist to the classic French cherry baked custard dessert? With pistachios to soak up the fragrant juices.

Macaron Berry Sherry Trifle

6 Comments

May 17, 2018

A strictly adult, berry boozy Royal celebration dessert. A trifle British but uses Parisian macarons, making it gluten free.

French Crème Caramel

10 Comments

May 4, 2018

The favourite classic on many Parisian restaurant menus - yet so easy to make at home. This one is so melt-in-the-mouth light!

Mini Rhubarb Crumbles

11 Comments

June 4, 2017

Make-in-advance easy peasy: rhubarb rose compote, crunchy oat crumble topped with the lightest white chocolate mousse. Just top with a macaron!

Saint Honoré Paris: Mandarin Oriental Hotel

11 Comments

May 20, 2017

A gourmet tribute to Saint Honoré, the patron saint of bakers, on 16 May: Legendary Chef, Thierry Marx shows us how it's done.

Apple Rose Tarte Tatin

7 Comments

February 5, 2017

Easy to make in advance! Surprise you Mum for Mother's Day with apple caramel tarts and a red apple rose - inspired by Michelin-starred chef, Alain Passard.

Saint-Germain-en-Laye: Paris Day Trips

17 Comments

October 2, 2016

Want to do something different and avoid the tourist crowds in Paris? Come to my Mini Paris: a royal town filled with history and a farmers' market 3x a week