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

August 12, 2019

The easiest, quickest French-style biscuits made with sesame seeds - delicious for teatime or served with ice cream

Roasted Tomato Mozzarella Bites

July 26, 2019

Just a few minutes of roasting tomatoes concentrates the best tomato flavour to make these simple, delicious summer nibbles.

Jill Colonna

Cracked Macaron Black Forest Creams

14 Comments

July 14, 2019

Cracked macarons? Make these chocolate cherry boozy gluten free desserts. They're so good, you'll want to make them with perfect macaron shells too!

Jill Colonna

Air-Conditioned Paris Tea Salons

10 Comments

June 27, 2019

Find a listing of the coolest Parisian tearooms during the summer heatwave.

Jill Colonna

Saint-Germain Almond Cake

20 Comments

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

16 Comments

June 3, 2019

Discover the simple Béarn-ecessities of life! The real McCoy French sauce invented near Paris, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye is so easy to whip up.

Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle Roof Visits

Jill Colonna

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

18 Comments

May 23, 2019

A taste of royal history from the birthplace of Louis XIV, Debussy and some culinary origins too. Only 30 mins from Paris with a rooftop visit until end September.

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

18 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 family favourite that's lighter than it looks. Light a candle, dim the lights and be transported to Morocco in 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.

TOP PARIS TEA SALONS LISTING (including air-conditioned)

September Menu Blog Specials

Jill Colonna

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

18 Comments

May 23, 2019

A taste of royal history from the birthplace of Louis XIV, Debussy and some culinary origins too. Only 30 mins from Paris with a rooftop visit until end September.

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...

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

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

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...

Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies

6 Comments

March 12, 2018

Inspired by a French chocolate factory recipe, just west of Paris (Le Pecq in les Yvelines) - with added toasted hazelnuts and flaky salt

red onion pepper savoury cornbread recipe

Cheesy Red Onion Pepper Cornbread

18 Comments

March 6, 2018

If you like Cheese Scones, then you'll love this savoury version of Cornbread, a handy quick bread recipe - without the sugar!

Jill Colonna

Matrimonial Cake - Oaty Shortbread Date Squares

19 Comments

February 17, 2018

On a date? Try this oaty Matrimonial Cake, like my Scottish Granny used to make and make the other half melt!

Best Pastries Rue Saint-Dominique, Paris

12 Comments

June 28, 2017

My self-guided tour to the best pastry & chocolate shops plus tearooms all in 3 blocks near the Eiffel Tower.

Apple Rose Tarte Tatin

7 Comments

February 5, 2017

Surprise your loved ones for dessert. An easy-to-make in advance recipe inspired by both Michelin-starred chef, Alain Passard and pastry chef, Christophe Felder.

Jill Colonna

Fig & Almond Pudding

8 Comments

September 22, 2016

A simple, elegant figgy pudding with the added French touch of mini raspberry macarons

Palets Bretons - buttery biscuits from Brittany

Palets Bretons Recipe - French Butter Biscuits or Cookies

15 Comments

April 10, 2016

Put just a few good quality basic ingredients together – salted butter, sugar, egg yolks, flour and baking powder – and what do you get? Irresistible French butter biscuits...