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

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

12 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.

Jill Colonna

Top 10 Halloween Macaron Ideas

10 Comments

October 26, 2018

Are you trick or treat? No matter 'witch' one, find your ideal macarons to party as Mad About Macarons celebrates its 10th reprint on its 8th birthday! Thank YOU for all your support and joining the fun.

Denise Acabo A l'Etoile d'Or Paris chocolate

Jill Colonna

Paris Chocolate Star Denise Acabo - A l'Etoile d'Or

14 Comments

October 12, 2018

Ready for a healthy dose of contagiously cheerful chocolate-induced endorphins? Meet the golden star of chocolate in Pigalle.

NEW! Top Paris Tea Salons (by Arrondissement)

What’s on April’s Menu?

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

Lightest Dark Chocolate Mousse

5 Comments

October 8, 2018

A light and intensely bittersweet French dark chocolate mousse for serious chocolate lovers - with no cream!

Jill Colonna

Blueberry Lemon Clafoutis

12 Comments

August 13, 2018

I'm also mad about clafoutis - and when you try the recipe, you'll see why: it's so versatile! Serve warm or chilled for dessert, teatime or breakfast!

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

Pure Vegetable Soup

10 Comments

April 30, 2018

Pure and simple genius: no stock, just butter, the freshest of veg and herbs make this a chunky healthy bowl of only 55 calories

Almond Lemon Easter Cake

16 Comments

March 29, 2018

Celebrate spring with this moist cake infused with tart lemon syrup and decorated with macarons, edible flowers and French mendiants.

Rhubarb, Hibiscus & Rose Jam

4 Comments

May 11, 2017

How to make rhubarb jam beautifully pink without strawberries but with tea and rose.

Corsican Brocciu Lasagne

6 Comments

April 26, 2017

An easy version of the classic dish of Cannelloni au Brocciu, with a secret ingredient that makes all the difference.

pistachio ice cream Il Gelato dei Marchese Paris Lebey

Annual Lebey Awards Paris: New Gastronomic Sensations

8 Comments

April 12, 2017

Culinary discoveries at the annual Lebey Oscars of French gastronomy in Paris.

Passion Fruit Mango Creams

6 Comments

April 2, 2017

A healthy, easy no-bake fruity dessert that's perfect with Easter chocolate and macarons!

Chocolate Ginger Passion Cake

14 Comments

March 23, 2017

Try this special moist, intense but light chocolate cake with ginger, passion fruit and top with macarons!

Cheese Scones with Spring Onion & Rosemary

8 Comments

March 7, 2017

How to make the fluffiest cheese scones for teatime!

Monkfish French Brittany Stew - Lotte à l'armoricaine

11 Comments

July 19, 2016

A deliciously easy French classic that's perfect if you have a lotte ... of entertaining

Strawberry, Almond & Rhubarb Tart

12 Comments

June 13, 2016

Try this nifty trick of turning an almond tart upside-down and decorate it as if it's straight from a Parisian patisserie!

Chocolate Cherry Ganache - Macaron Filling

23 Comments

June 1, 2016

Rain in the Kirsch with these dark chocolate and cherry macarons!

Rhubarb Rose Sorbet

6 Comments

May 5, 2016

A perfect light dessert for Mother's Day - serve with macarons or tuiles and a bunch of roses for Mum!

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...

Maple Granola - Homemade Breakfast Cereal

15 Comments

March 13, 2015

A healthy homemade oat breakfast cereal with no sugar - just maple syrup, nuts and dried fruits

Bonbons! The Best French Sweet Shop in Paris

17 Comments

February 19, 2014

Georges takes us through a tour of France's regional confectionary specialities!

Begging for Chocolate Macarons and Mendiants for Easter

66 Comments

April 6, 2012

Meaning "Beggar" in French and representing four mendicant monastic orders from the Middle Ages, these popular chocolates are great to make for Easter!