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

June 14, 2019

Born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye outside Paris in 1920, this simple almond and rum patisserie is so easy and addictive too!

Jill Colonna

Béarnaise Sauce - Recipe & Origins

10 Comments

June 3, 2019

This classic French sauce is easier to whip up than you think! Invented near Paris, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye with an extra herb...

Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle Roof Visits

Jill Colonna

Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle Roof Visit (Paris Day Trips)

16 Comments

May 23, 2019

A taste of history of this prominent royal town before the French Court moved to Versailles, the birthplace of Louis XIV, Debussy and some culinary births too - just 30 minutes from Paris.

Jill Colonna

Rose Rhubarb Orange Cake

22 Comments

May 11, 2019

Celebrate rhubarb and rose season with this light financier-style French cake for teatime, breakfast or brunch - and an easy bake to say Merci to Maman.

Jill Colonna

10 Reasons to Visit Honfleur, Normandy

14 Comments

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

12 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

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

TOP PARIS TEA SALONS (list by Arrondissement)

June’s Parisian Specials

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

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

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

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.

Jill Colonna

French Berry Gratin with Elderflower

7 Comments

July 18, 2018

A quick yet elegant French berry dessert, topped with an elderflower cream and quickly toasted under the grill. Perfect for a summer heatwave!

Jill Colonna

Mint Omelette - Corsican Style

7 Comments

June 8, 2018

A particularly refreshing omelette from the Island of Beauty - and tips on what makes a Corsican omelette different.

Raspberry Clafoutis with Lemon Verbena

4 Comments

September 26, 2017

A delicious twist to the classic French clafoutis recipe using raspberries and a lemony twist of verbena - and it's gluten free!

Salted Toffee Cherry Tomatoes

12 Comments

September 10, 2017

Celebrate eating outside for summer weather - start your party with this salty sweet fun apéritif!

Café Renoir, Montmartre Museum Gardens

18 Comments

July 21, 2017

Escape the tourist crowds around Sacré Coeur and enjoy a snack in this hidden haven, with a view of Renoir's legendary swing and the oldest house in Montmartre.