Macarons for Valentine’s. The Romantic French? Aye Write!
It’s that rosy time of year again. You’re expecting me to go all gushy on you, aren’t you? Living in one of the most romantic places in the world and being married to a Frenchman must make anyone go weak at the knees at this time of year, right?
I love France and the French. I love Paris and where we live, surrounded by such a gourmet foodie culture. I love macarons. I love my husband. Not in that order, of course. I used to be a soppy romantic; now I just go weak at the knees when I find myself driving around the Arc de Triomphe.
There’s something about living in France that brings out the more serious in you, though. Hard to believe? I dreamed that my Frenchman would whisk me off my feet, feed me with French romantic phrases; and pop the question on bended knee at our ‘local’, up in the Eiffel Tower’s Jules’ Verne restaurant, producing a surprise box over the most dreamy Parisian pâtisserie dessert.
Who am I kidding? We were just starting out with new jobs, living in a matchbox studio in the 7th arrondissement. That was already pretty chic but you couldn’t swing a cat in the place. I won’t embarrass Antoine in front of you about how he proposed in real life. How could I expose him – much that it’s tempting – as he never has time to read le blog? My adorable Frenchman has gradually become more romantic over the years, however. Could it be that macarons make the heart grow fonder? Like a blockbuster bottle of Burgundy, each year together just gets better and better. (If I said, ‘improves with age’ that makes us sound like old fogies, no?)
What’s sweeter than saying, “Darling, we don’t need one day in the year to give presents and say how much we love each other”? Too true. In any case, he’s on biz galavanting around India this week so he has a valid excuse. I’ll enjoy a cosy evening with my girls at home which is just as special: we can secretly enjoy lentil and bacon soup with oh-so-British cheese scones without him going into cultural convulsions. But I know that after a few days, it will ware off. When he returns in a couple of weeks, we’ll have our usual candlelit French dinner together like any other day in the year. La vie en rose? Aye right. If I’m in luck, his suitcase will be filled with curry leaves and exotic, original spices – but my guess is it will be full of mini hotel shampoos and conditioners.
Before he left, he tasted these macarons to accompany that White Chocolate Valentine Mousse recipe. No guesses as to what kind they are, if you already saw my previous post. I’m addicted to them already and keep wanting to make more. Quite simply, it’s a cross between a rose macaron and a orange blossom macaron: it’s a rose-orange blossom macaron and it’s bliss!
Simply follow the recipe for either Rose macarons (on p. 45) or Orange Blossom Macarons (on p. 77 of Mad About Macarons!) Replace the fragrant water with both 2 tbsp rose water and 2 tbsp orange flower water. It’s that simple, and you’ll taste them both in there. Can you imagine that with a glass of bubbly? It’s what dreams are made of. Who needs posh restaurants?
Aye Write! Free Tickets to Give Away
Want to learn how to make macarons like the French? Come to Glasgow for the annual Book Festival in Scotland, Aye Write! I’ll be demonstrating how to make macarons as well as answer your questions. It’s a great excuse to meet each other and even taste some macarons.
When and Where?
Saturday 10 March at the Mitchell Library, 11:00-12:00.
Reserve your place now at the Aye Write website!
Waverley Books have FOUR entry tickets to give away. To enter, just leave a comment below saying “My favourite macaron is…..” Tell us what kind of macaron says it for you. The Giveaway ends Sunday 19 February. I’ll announce the winners on Tuesday 21 February, when I have a special guest coming to join us on le blog.
Valentine macarons on a date in Paris
If you didn’t see last year’s Valentine’s post, then take a look at this recipe for rose panna cotta with a cherry and cardamom coulis. After something more red velvet? Then check out this recipe for chocolate and beetroot fondants.
Happy Valentine’s, my friends and extra hugs to your loved ones.
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day with your girls :)! These macarons sound fantabulous, and they are so beautiful! That pale pink is so pretty!
mmmm, rose-orange blossom macarons with a glass of bubbly sounds like my new favourite thing – how deliciously decadent! can’t wait to have a go. Thanks for the post Jill 🙂
My current favourite macaron is the Valentines batch I made last week, chilli chocolate. They were a V day gift for my lovely OH but somehow most of them ended up in my tummy, oops. It’s the thought that counts though, right? 😉
I will definitely try to make it along to the demo, sounds like a perfect Saturday morning to me! x
Ah romance, comes in such varied forms 🙂 Sounds like a lovely valentines with your girls and I am sure an equally delightful engagement upon his return 🙂 I wish for you loads of exotic goodies in that case 😉
These are delightful as always, and sounds like a lovely giveaway 🙂
Jill, these sound absolutely divine – as you say, who needs champagne. I do hope that suitcase is full of exotic spices rather than shampoo. Have a great weekend, Hx
Absolutely perfectly gorgeous Valentine’s macarons. The rose orange blossom flavor mix is a stunner!
Ok sounds like you had amazing and very very romantic day of love!! Beautiful photos dear and only if I am closer I would love to watch you make some delicious and pretty macarons!!!
I wish you an amazing end of the week!!!!
Aye, who would not love to see you whip up those macarons like no one else on the planet..
I must change my ticket a toute a suite!
everything is adorbs comme habitude
I don’t need “the day.” I have it every day. I think your post speaks of that – romance is everywhere if you allow it. And your macarons are a sweetness that attests to love.
Jill, these macarons are so elegant, love the flavor and the heart shaped ones are perfect for the occasion.
Lovely post and enjoyed very much 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s day, though I suppose it’s already the 15th for you now. Hope you had a nice day with the girls. My husband is like yours, much more romantic now than when we first met….and he never reads my blog. 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day, Jill! Mine will be about as romantic as yours…I am always lucky enough to get a card and since I’m less romantic than my hubby, I have no further expectations 🙂 Your macarons sound divine…and just beautiful as always
I had pistachio macarons that were mindblowing, but I can’t go to Glasgow 😉
Your pictures are so gorgeous!
These are the sweetest little macarons I have ever seen. I love this post. My one trip to Paris was a dream come true, for sure. My favourite macaron is chocolate, chocolate filled with chocolate ;). Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day, my friend.
A triple chocolate dose sounds good to me!
Jill, The orange-rose blossom macarons look mouthwatering as usual!! But I’m still thinking about your lentil and bacon soup with cheese scones as your cozy Valentines Day dinner with your girls… sounds perfect to me. Much better then an overrated crowded restaurant. Enjoy your evening with your daughters!!
Lisa, instead of flowers we’re getting the kitchen table covered in flour!
Oh, I wish I could afford to fly over to meet you and see you making macarons! However, I’ve made your macarons and please check out my post to see what I’ve done thanks to you. As for meeting you, who knows? May be you’ll come over to Greece and we can make them together! Rose Water and Blossom Water are ingredients I use very often and surely will try them in one of my future attempts. Happy Valentine’s!
Ivy, just read your post at http://kopiaste.org/2012/02/mad-about-macarons-mastihas/ WOW! Thank you so much for your kind words about the book. I need to try this mastihas flavour and get to the recipes in the 2nd volume of your book!
Hi Jill! This post was very fun and entertaining to read, and you have to share the proposal story with us! 😉 France is a perfect place to be on this day…. nice… =) Your macarons look extra gorgeous today. Maybe because it’s cute pink and white combo. So lovely! I want to wish you good luck with the event!
Thanks, Nami. You’re tempting me with that story. But don’t forget that hubby is Corsican! If he ever reads this…
What a beautiful post, Jill! And France makes you serious? If you say so! But no matter what you say, I will always think of Paris as the city of romance 🙂 Too bad your husband is not with you this week, but since I am not too big on the whole Valentine’s thing, I am sure you’ll have a lovely time when he’s back! And you can spend a lovely day with your girls! (PS Will he come visit me India?)
I must mention that this is probably my favorite macaron flavor combo I’ve seen so far. It sounds SO refined and flavorful! I want them now!
And when I saw ‘tickets’ in the giveaway, I thought you were giving away tickets to come to Glasgow! LOL 😀 Talk about wishful thinking! Just to clarify – so I’ll have to get to Glasgow by myself? 😉 Beautiful post!
Marsha, the French are pretty serious and as you can tell, I haven’t succeeded that much in that domain. India? He’s all over the place this week!
Also – much that we would love to fly you over – the competition is for all those who would be around Glasgow at the time. Thanks for your sweet comments.
Jill, these macaroons sound wonderful! Rose is my favorite macaroon, but crossed with and orange blossom sounds even more delicious! Happy Valentine’s day :)!
Thanks, Amy. Isn’t it funny how such a simple match can be so good? You have to try it. Enjoy your day of rrrromance.
Beautiful sentiment. Beautiful post. Marvelous macarons! Best of luck with the demo and festival.
Thanks so much, Laz.
I’ve laughed so much reading your post… Must be something with french men and they’re saying “I don’t need one special day a year to bring flowers.. for me every day is Valentine’s…” At least my husband occasionally tries this excuse… It’s probably in their blood… can’t complain about the romantic side though 🙂 The flavor combination of these macarons sounds fabulous!
Yep. You said it: it must be in the blood but they still get away with it. Big time.
These Macarons are so beautifully presented! Love the photos makes me want to eat them all!
Hope you are having a wonderful day
Natalie
You macs look lovely. I am my first macaroons only a few days ago and I’m totally hooked. Any macaroon is my favorite macaron!!! Loved all the varieties that you have in your page. Happy Valentine’s day to u too..
Ah now, my favourite macaron would be anyone made by you Jill – if I don’t win, I might just come and see you anyway! There’s a threat for you.
Janice, that would be fabulous to meet up! What a lovely ‘threat’ indeed. But what’s your favourite macaron?
How I would love to come to Scotland for that–not happening, though. The macarons look lovely, and while I’m sorry your husband will be away, he’s right–it’s just another day. Enjoy your evening with the girls!
Sorry that you are all so far away! Enjoy your evening, too.
haha Jill you’re such a wonder! those lil macarons look sinful and totally guilty a pleasure on V day…and cultural convulsions, India, and curry leaves…lovely write up! mebbe you could post some curry leaf macarons next to favour this Indian friend xoxo
Happy V day….long live the French man and his lovely wife and kids and their enviable love…
Oh, thank you. Thoma, I’d love to make a curry leaf macaron for you. Just need ze curry leaves, I guess. Or perhaps I could home in on Indian soap? Perhaps not. I envy you for being in the heat and being in a culture that I would love to learn. One day I’ll get there myself!
Ok, on one hand, my Frenchman hates Valentine’s Day (“purely commercial nonsense”) and also always says “Darling, we don’t need one day in the year to give presents and say how much we love each other” But on the other hand, mine must be the most romantic man – Frenchman or otherwise – man alive. But, well, he also hates macarons… that said, these macs are heavenly and beautiful and are so inspiring me to bake macarons this V Day.
Aha, Jamie. Sounds like we have the same kind of man: he says the same with the commercial nonsense – and I’m becoming like him every day. He loves macarons, though – purely to help me experiment, you understand. 😉 Enjoy the same ‘ordinary’ but lovable year, my friend.
What a lovely story…if only you could reveal the proposal (I am a big sap for love stories).
Enjoy Valentine’s Day with the girls.
Rachel, I’d need to bribe hubby first. Big time.
That sounds like a great time however, I’d first have to fly there. Unfortunately that’s just not in the cards for me. So in the meantime I’ll have to practice making them from your wonderful book.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Oh I wish I could come and see you make macarons like the French! I hope to get the chance this summer – or perpahs we will just trawl around and eat macarons 🙂
I wish you could be there too, Mardi, but you of all people don’t need to! Eating macarons in the summer? Count me in and I promise to behave better for the tea police.
This was a wonderful read! We all have our own thoughts on Valentine’s day, but in my mind I believe that Paris is probably about one of the most romantic places to be at to celebrate.
I am intrigued by the flavor blend-rose and orange blossom, very creative! Also, your macarons look perfect as usual. Congrats on the demo gig at the book festival-I am sure that the lucky winner of the tickets will really enjoy it.
Happy Valentine’s my friend!
Thanks so much, Tina. You must try the mix of orange blossom with rose. Sounds OTT but I can assure you, it’s wonderful. Try it in your cakes – I hope you love it! Have a romantic week (even if you’re not in Paris ;-))