Mad about Macarons

Easy French Recipes with a Taste of Paris

Happy, Healthy 2021! More easy bakes in the index & in my books…

Jill Colonna

French Chocolate Passion Mousse with Caramel Nougatine

10 Comments

February 7, 2020

A French classic mousse with no cream, just intense dark chocolate and made even lighter with passion fruit & egg whites. It's something to get 'excited' about - just watch how you tell the French!

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

Raspberry Vegan Macaron Recipe (Using Aquafaba French Meringue)

34 Comments

January 31, 2019

For the #veganuary challenge. 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 on Shortbread

10 Comments

January 20, 2019

My French twist to the classic Scottish dessert: an iced honey & Whisky cream with a crunchy buttery oat praline. A delicious surprise to serve on Burn's Night (25 Jan)

Jill Colonna

Parisian Bourdaloue Pear Tart - a French 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.

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.

Jill Colonna

Breakfast Oat Cookies with Hazelnut & Cranberry

15 Comments

October 6, 2018

A deliciously healthy start to the day with reduced sugar, plus a perfect quick teatime 'goûter' to tide you over until dinner without the guilt

Drambuie Ice Cream (No-Churn)

23 Comments

February 19, 2016

This Scottish whisky liqueur, honey and herb ice cream will liven up any dinner party when it’s served with dessert! Strictly for adults only…

Flamiche Recipe - French Leek Pie

9 Comments

January 22, 2016

A typical French winter classic from Picardy and a favourite starter found in many Parisian brasseries & bistros. For National Pie Day (Jan 23).

Cullen Skink Scottish Smoked Haddock Soup

Cullen Skink Smoked Haddock Soup

15 Comments

January 18, 2016

Whether for your Scottish St Andrew's Night (Nov 30th) or Burn's Night menu (25 Jan) - or for a cosy gathering to chase away the winter chill! Why the name, "Cullen Skink"?

Jill Colonna

Macarons vs Macaroons

24 Comments

January 4, 2016

The difference between macarons and macaroons: a guide to the French ambassador of pastry and other associated treats

Jill Colonna

French Apple Custard Tart - An Easy Yolk Recipe you HAVE to try!

23 Comments

October 25, 2015

Enjoy the best of apple season with this satisfying family tart from Alsace.

Jill Colonna

Tarte Tatin - An Easy French Classic

20 Comments

October 8, 2015

Upside-down caramelised apple tart; it's a lot easier to make than it looks! A French baking mistake that turned up in the right direction!

Red Onion and Goat Cheese Chèvre Tarte Tatin

Red Onion Chevre Tatin

14 Comments

December 10, 2013

A quick and easy savoury twist to the French classic with caramelised onions and goat's cheese.

Your favourite blog recipes now on YouTube video HERE

Pantry Recipes for Easy Home Cooking

Quick & healthy with a few clever ingredients in store – some now on video too!

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

Palets Bretons: French Salted Butter Biscuits

11 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, enjoyed plain or dressed up to tea party.

Jill Colonna

Fluffy Cheese Scones

18 Comments

March 28, 2020

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

Jill Colonna

Quick Almond Milk Rice Pudding (Vegan)

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

Trust the French to turn something we often have stocks at home into an occasion. Take a tub of ice cream, a tub of sorbet and dress it up to party in 2021 with some meringue and whipped cream (gluten free).

Jill Colonna

Luxury Chocolate Coconut Granola (Vegan)

10 Comments

January 31, 2020

A luxury way to start your day - Now on VIDEO. Give yourself a healthy breakfast boost with no added sugar - just natural, delicious ingredients. It's vegan, gluten free but comes with a warning: once you make this you'll need a constant supply of it!

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.

Jill Colonna

Saint-Germain Almond Cake

24 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

Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding

15 Comments

February 20, 2019

Ideas for dates at home! 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. Check it out NOW...

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.

French Crème Caramel

16 Comments

May 4, 2018

The favourite French classic on many Parisian restaurant menus - yet so easy to make at home. This one is melt-in-the-mouth light with no heavy cream, just milk and eggs.

Jill Colonna

Matrimonial Cake - Oaty Shortbread Date Squares

48 Comments

February 17, 2018

Looking for perfect date ideas? Try this oaty Matrimonial Cake, like my Scottish Granny used to make and make the other half melt! Ideal pantry baking too (no eggs).