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

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

7 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

12 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

6 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

12 Comments

October 12, 2018

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

Jill Colonna

Lightest Dark Chocolate Mousse

5 Comments

October 8, 2018

A light and intensely bittersweet French dark chocolate mousse for serious chocolate lovers - topped with the most fondant macarons.

Jill Colonna

Breakfast Oat Cookies with Hazelnut & Cranberry

12 Comments

October 6, 2018

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

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 sunshine to the table at any time of year

Jill Colonna

Black Sesame Ice Cream

8 Comments

September 17, 2018

We're hanging on to a Japanese summer in Paris with hot temperatures this week so out with this special ice cream. Yuzu'll love it with macarons!

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

Blueberry Lemon Clafoutis

10 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

French Berry Gratin with Elderflower

6 Comments

July 18, 2018

A quick yet elegant French dessert with fresh berries, topped with an elderflower cream and toasted under the grill for a couple of minutes. Perfect for a summer heatwave!

Carol Gillott Champagne Patisserie Salon Paris

Jill Colonna

Champagne and Patisserie Salon - Paris 2018

10 Comments

July 11, 2018

The most arty, bubbly and deliciously sweet Parisian event with watercolour artist, Carol Gillott

Jill Colonna

Melting Moments - Children's Party Oat Biscuits

10 Comments

June 26, 2018

Melt-in-the-mouth buttery oatmeal biscuits, rolled in oats and topped with bits of glacé cherry - great for children's parties and sharing with the adults.

Jill Colonna

Perfect Porridge Hamlyns Giveaway

57 Comments

June 26, 2018

How do you like YOUR porridge? Tell us before midnight 16 July 2018 and you could win one of three prizes from Hamlyns of Scotland.

TOP PARIS TEA SALONS (by Arrondissement)

What’s on the December Menu?

Macaron Berry Sherry Trifle

5 Comments

May 17, 2018

A trifle British for a Wimbledon party or dress it up as the French flag for Fête Nationale on 14th July! Uses Parisian macarons for a berry boozy celebration dessert.

Almond Lemon Easter Cake

14 Comments

March 29, 2018

Not just for Easter - decorate to make a festive Christmas ring! Moist cake infused with tart lemon syrup and decorated with macarons, edible flowers and French mendiants.

Jill Colonna

Healthy Breakfast Bran Muffins

8 Comments

February 6, 2018

Irresistibly moist muffins with oats, dates and apple and add gingerbread spice for a festive touch - inspired from my Granny's Black Book of Scottish recipes.

Snowballs - No Bake, Coconut, Raisin & Chocolate Bites

13 Comments

December 18, 2017

Granny's special winter treats: gluten free, vegan and perfect for festive parties or teatime.

Mulled Wine Prunes

8 Comments

December 16, 2017

A festive version of the French classic dessert, Pruneaux au Vin, with orange and added spices - and perfect with macarons!

Christmas Oat Granola - A Healthy Festive Breakfast

6 Comments

December 9, 2017

Go nuts! Make your mornings 'oat-ra' special with festive warming spices, orange & maple - and no added sugar!

Relais Desserts Yule Log Presentation, Paris 2017

18 Comments

October 13, 2017

20 top pastry chefs from this elite group show us their French Christmas cake creations (Bûches de Noël).

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

Bring some sunshine to the winter table and start your party with this salty sweet fun apéritif!

Brandy Snaps - Mojito Style!

8 Comments

March 15, 2017

Retro brandy snaps given a lime, mint and rum twist to make a celebratory cocktail adult dessert

Digital kitchen scales for making macarons

Macaron Digital Kitchen Scales - Weight vs Volume

42 Comments

March 3, 2017

Why it's essential to use digital kitchen scales for consistently successful baking results plus my macaron scale review by Terraillon measuring experts

Orange Caramel Cake

18 Comments

January 22, 2017

Sticky orange caramel cake - great served warm for breakfast and teatime, if there's any left!

Mincemeat Pinwheels

2 Comments

December 14, 2016

A quick and handy vegetarian recipe that's perfect to make in advance for your festive end-of-year parties

Quick No-Suet Mincemeat - A Perfect Macaron Filling

5 Comments

December 1, 2016

A quick and deliciously easy mincemeat recipe, ideal for Vegetarians since it's without suet - and great for filling macarons!

Saint-Germain-en-Laye Chocolate Pastry Tour

18 Comments

October 20, 2016

Just 20 mins outside Paris, create your own sweet gourmet DIY walk with my favourite local haunts in this royal 'Mini Paris'

Mini Macaron Trifles - Ispahan Style

12 Comments

September 28, 2016

A trifle of British nostalgia given a mini Parisian touch, all dressed up for your party!

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

Palets Bretons - buttery biscuits from Brittany

Palets Bretons Recipe - French Butter Biscuits or Cookies

13 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...

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 the other coconut treats

How to Make a Giant Paris-Brest Pastry Ring for Christmas

10 Comments

December 17, 2015

Adapting one of the recipes in Teatime in Paris for a Christmas make-over

Stuffed Cabbage (Chou Farci): A Cheat's French Classic Winter Recipe

10 Comments

December 13, 2015

A French Classic recipe of stuffed savoy cabbage made easy by using turkey stuffing leftovers.

Honey Lemon Sablé Biscuits

20 Comments

February 9, 2015

A quick and easy cookie recipe that's perfect with a cup of tea for a soothing winter teatime.

The French's Favourite Casserole: Blanquette de Veau

9 Comments

January 13, 2015

Enjoy this French Winter classic casserole, which is surprisingly light too!

Scottish Macaroon Bar Snowballs

21 Comments

December 2, 2014

We can't reduce the sugar in these traditional Scottish treats but we can reduce their size into snowballs!

Savoury Macarons: Festive Starter Ideas

13 Comments

December 20, 2013

You heard it right: savoury macarons for that special occasion menu to delight your guests and create a real talking point! Smiles and thumbs up guaranteed.