Lemon Tart

Daring Bakers: French Macaroons

Lemon Raspberry Macarons

It's good to be back. Back at home. Back in my kitchen. Back with The Daring Bakers. I've been absent for awhile now, so when I was ready to get back to baking and blogging I was delighted to find out this months challenge was something that pulls at my heart simply due to what it makes me think of - Paris.

The 2009 October Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to us by Ami S. She chose macarons from Claudia Fleming’s The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern as the challenge recipe.

French Macarons you see are a far cry from the Canadian version - those ubiquitous, sugary, coconut laden mountains that show up in coffee shops, church bazaars and cookie trays everywhere. Yet I have yet to meet anyone you actually enjoys them, although I think that is because so many of them out there are so bad. A future post perhaps - Macaroons rediscovered?

French Macaroons, or Macarons, are a different macaroon altogether. A meringue based cookie (sans coconut), light as air, is sandwiched between a filling of chocolate ganache, or buttercream, with endless variations from nutella to preserves. This creates a cookie that at first shatters on your teeth on contact, seemingly delicate and crackly, only to yield to a chewy interior layer followed by a creamy, flavour packed filling. 3 different textures, a single flavour or a mixture of contrasting flavours, makes these cookies a winner in my books. Not too sweet, delicate, but not too much, and oh so pretty make these a favourite tea cookie of mine. Of course they allow for so much creativity that it invites crazy combinations like green olive and olive oil, ketchup, matcha tea and everything in between.

Composed of a short ingredient list of egg whites, almond flour and sugar, they are a lot trickier than you would imagine. But then again a baguette is made up of the same number of ingredients and finding a good one is a lot more difficult than you would think should be. A challenge for those of us who like to bake, but also a gamble. Even if you've made dozens of these without thinking, most of them turning out near perfect, this is a cookie that eludes and sometimes just decides not to work out. So if you decide to tackle them, don't despair, it happens. Aging egg whites, grinding your own almond flour, sifting the almonds, letting the cookies air dry before baking. They come with a number of tricks and requirements. The good news is that once you get the hang of them, they are quick to make and even quicker to eat!

I began making these at home 4 years ago upon returning home from my first trip to Paris where they are as as common as the chocolate chip cookie or Nanaimo bar here. Back then a recipe for macarons was difficult to find, but I managed to find a couple and began baking (and selling) these little bits of Paris. These were cookies that inspired such smiles from people, especially fellow travelers and Francophiles. Reminders of beautiful times in the city of light. I was happy to bring that back for people and share something new for people who'd never heard of such a thing.

Now macarons have hit North American shores and I'm not sure if its for the better. I've seen them overpriced and stale at upscale gourmet grocers and just shake my head. Who would be so stupid to spend money on these? But apparently people do and I think I understand why. Food can often be as much about memory of time and place than the actual food itself. To me they have to taste good too, but to some people the purchase itself brings them back to happier times.  Recreating my little bit of a city I love is exciting and challenging.

They are also a huge trend internationally and you've likely come across them somewhere near or far from home. What started as a darling little cookie seen only in Paris or France, some people say, are the next trend threatening to derail the cupcake. I don't know about that, but when McDo's  (McDonalds) starts selling them, that's gotta mean its outgrown its humble roots. Although to be fare I can bet the Macarons at Mcdonalds in Paris are for certain going to be better than the sad ones at my local grocer.

Bonjour mes amis!

I left you last on my way to Italy, and come to you now directly from France, hence the language change. We have returned from 4 lovely weeks of a mixed bag of experiences and sites. Some small disappointments, some surprises, some familiar places, but all great. We are happy to be home with our Emma-dog, North American plumbing and inexpensive readily available Asian food, but will miss long lunches, beautiful romantic languages, Cote du Provence Rose, lack of sales tax and tipping culture and narrow, ancient European lanes. My report to come soon. 

Arrivederci!

As this is being posted, we are flyin' outta here, Italy bound. First stop, Venezia (Venice). This is our first trip to Italy and of course with anywhere that conjures up such romantic notions of place, I have high expectations for it as well as extreme curiosity for how its going to play out. As you know I have a rather undying love affair with La Belle France and it is hard to turn your back on your first love, but it feels right, Italy has been calling this year and I'm ready for Italian food, wine, art, history and people. I've been taking Italian classes this year and am hoping that some of that pays off in many ways.

Of course this means you won't be hearing from me in awhile. Since internet access for me will be spotty at best and I don't like to spend my escapist vacations running around from internet cafe to internet cafe, I'll be saving all the best for my arrival home.  I promise a more than adequate report. 

We'll be spending time in Venezia, Firenze, Toscana, Umbira and the Cinque Terre

What I excited about the most:

Getting lost in Venezia

Driving through windy Tuscan hills with roads flanked by Cypress trees

Eating fresh seafood in the Cinque Terre

The Markets, ah...the markets...everywhere!

Art in Firenze.

Eating late into the night.

Drinking beautiful wine

Long leisurely lunches.

After Italy, we'll be spending our last leg in a familiar spot, Antibes and the Cote d'Azur of France. It will be lovely to spend some time there again as it is familiar and lovely with so much to see, do and well, most importantly, eat! We have a very special lunch reservation and lots of exploring - old town Antibes, hill towns, Nice...

I look forward to sharing some of our experiences with you. Until then, enjoy harvest season and the beautiful days of September wherever you are.

Ci vediamo!

Friends in French Places

I may not be the first to break this story, but I feel so incredibly excited by a recent acquisition, that I couldn't help but share this with you.

What you are looking at is just another example of why I love the French: Chocolate stamps! For real! You can actually mail a letter through La Poste with these. They don't just look like the most beautiful chocolate bar, complete with foil wrapping, tone on tone artistic relief and beveled edges, but they SMELL like chocolate too! Only in France, I say. Sorry, Canada Post I'd rather have my letters sporting chocolate and pastries than hockey players and bluebirds. I guess I'm not a very good Canadian.

As soon as I read about these my mind started working out a plan- I mean, I knew I HAD to have them. How could I get my hands on some of these? We'll be in France in October but did I want to risk them being out of circulation by then? I think not. I mean, come on, we're talking chocolate stamps here, let's get serious. It turns out I do have a French Connection. I asked DG who has colleagues in the Cote d'Azur if he thought it would be appropriate to ask for a small favour of these gentle Frenchmen, which I have met and seemed like the kind of guys that might indulge an enthusiastic Canadian. As is his way DG made his request rather mockingly and perhaps that's what got results. I'm certain the French love the chance to laugh at an anglophone, and one of them came through for me. Or rather his wife did. In less than 2 days of the request, which is above and beyond my expectations, my wish had been granted. So I'd like to think I do have friends in French places now.

I'm touched and so very excited to have my very own book of chocolate stamps. And in case this gets around to France: Merci beaucoup, Laurent, et à votre belle femme bien sur!

Edible Seattle: Part 2

Part 1 of Edible Seattle.

Immediately upon arrival in Seattle, we head straight to Ballard to La Carta de Oaxaca for a late lunch. The cuisine here is that of Oaxaca, the city and state often referred to as the culinary capital of Mexico. If I ever go to Mexico, this is the version of it I'll be interested in. Enjoy your beach resorts, this is my idea of the ultimate Mexican vacation.

This family restaurant feels confident. You won't find any pinatas and sombreros in this Mexican eatery. You enter into a fresh, monochromatic room with an artistic yet still rustic feel. Every inch of wall space is covered with a  collection of black and white photography of Oaxaca. White washed wainscoting and simple clapboard tables make the perfect complement to the red brick walls. The decor is so relaxed it seems unintentional. This place does what it does well, so it doesn't need to convince you that you are in a Mexican restaurant with the usual decor. Upon entering the first thing you notice is the women at a griddle and the incredible smell of just cooked corn tortillas and spices in the air. There are a handful of  young male servers- extremely efficient and friendly.  Everything here is made from scratch, including the thin, incredibly corn-y tortillas, such a revelation to most of us who will rarely have the opportunity to try a fresh masa corn tortilla. Beside the bar a line of rustic bowls filled with a variety of fresh made salsas, thin, authentic and brimming with flavours, filled often.

We start with a house made Agua fresca- a cold drink made from fruit or herbs, lightly sweetened- this one made of hibiscus flowers and is a gorgeous deep crimson. Just the right sweetness and acidity to go alongside a basket of warm, crispy, handmade tortillas chips and a bowl of unadulterated guacamole- simple avocado a hint of cilantro, chile and lime. Simple perfection! Did I mention the fresh made tortilla chips?

When the chicken tamales come to the table they demand attention. A large, leathery, brown envelope of banana leaves looks unassuming. With anticipation, we carefully unwrap it. Steam escapes, carrying all these complex aromas. Our mouths water. Forget the camera! Gotta eat! Inside is a dumpling of sorts. A moist mixture of masa, steamed chicken and their famous mole (a destination dish alone) make this dish unforgettable.  While I'll admit this is the first tamale I've ever eaten, so I am no expert, but I'm fairly confident that this is as good as it gets. Perfectly cooked black beans are the perfect accompaniment. This as a must try here.

Many of us grew up thinking tacos were a much different dish than the photo below and what a shame. A bigger shame is the number of people that will live their lives not knowing what a real taco is. Well, let me tell you. This is IT! Thin, subtle, fresh white corn tortillas warmed, topped with chunks of moist barbecued spiced pork and restrained sprinkling of fresh chopped cilantro and onions. Topped off with a  couple of their glorious salsas and I am so very happy....

Pacing ourselves just a bit we head downtown for an evening of very different experiences. Our first stop is Belltown tapas bar, Txori. Basque tapas to be exact. This is part of the team that owns extremely popular Harvest Vine another great Seattle restaurant. This snug hoppin' little tapas bar serves traditional tapas which means each order is really only 2 bites. Their menu is diverse and there is something for everyone. We enjoyed a Spanish Kir cocktail with a few little bites as a great pre dinner snack. The menu has simple plates of olives or more interesting chorizo and chocolate combinations along with assorted cheeses and a number of hot dishes such as beautiful crunchy spiced chickpeas and little meatballs. This is the perfect place to grab one of their inventive cocktails or Spanish wine and a few bites at any time of day, but especially late at night.

Next stop, Serious Pie! We first visited Serious Pie 2 weeks after it opened in 2006 and we've been talking about it ever since.  Owned by Seattle restaurant guru, Tom Douglas, the name of this place says it all.  It's a small room with communal bar height tables which contribute to the lively neighborly feel and an open view of the wood fire oven.  The menu consists of a small selection of perfectly crafted pies from my favourite Wild Mushroom with Truffle Cheese to the classic Margeurita that includes buffalo milk mozzarella and San Marzana tomatoes (the best of the best) as well as offerings with arugula and egg and even clams. To make decisions difficult there is always a special or two to choose from. Luckily this is perfect sharing food so go with a group.  A varied and affordable Italian wine list rounds out a few well done salads, but I usually leave room for the main event. These pies usually do not feature a tomato sauce base, usually only have about 3 ingredients which are all of utmost quality and is NOT loaded with cheese. In fact some have none at all. The crust is thin, chewy and crunchy all at the same time, perfectly charred by the wood oven and so much flavour from a long cold fermentation process. Each pie comes fresh from the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of course salt. If this doesn't sound like pizza to you, come to be enlightened. And don't expect to say much to your date when the food comes. Its hard to concentrate on anything but the amazing taste of this pizza once its steaming in front of you.

Edible Seattle: Part 1

Well, now that I've made you wait a whole week to hear about our weekend... Sorry about that delay. I was busy on the treadmill.

I love Seattle. On a good day you can be in a different country and another major city in less than 3 hours from Vancouver. We always seem to have bad luck with favourable currency exchange, so with the Canadian Dollar at a recent low, we wasted no time crossing the border. In recent years, we've spent a couple weekends a year in Seattle , which has made each visit better than the last as we become more familiar with  the city, its restaurants, shopping and people. I certainly have enough restaurants to keep me occupied here at home, but of course its always nice to get away and experience a different cities food culture!

Seattle feels a bit like a place I could live- it feels a little like Vancouver. I suppose city planning wise its doesn't actually have a lot in common-waterfront views, high real estate (well, not so much now) and lots of new condos. But for some reason the whole "Pacific Northwest" thing, being on the Ocean, living in lush beautiful surroundings, living in rain for so much of the year, feeling a bit separate from the rest of our respective counties.... well, all those things have something to do with the citizens of Vancouver and Seattle having similar constitutions.  That being said, the sign in the trendy Belltown wine bar we were in on Friday night, "No Minors, No Firearms",  let us know loud and clear that we weren't in Canada anymore.

My favourite place to visit when traveling is the grocery store or farmers market. You learn a sense of the place and its culture by visiting the places where locals buy their food like no other public arena. These days its harder to find uniquely American food stuffs in major supermarkets with the whole global marketplace thing. Canadian grocery stores now have all the same familiar brands and logos. But there are still some treasures, and I'm pretty good at sourcing them. This photo shows the variety of souvenirs I came home with. Highlights include a turquoise Fiestaware pitcher, chocolate bars from a new American chocolate maker, Askinoskie and a limited edition Theo ghost chile bar,  cultured butter from Vermont Butter and Cheese company and the infamous Mo's Bacon Bar.

Gettin' outta here!

DG and I are skipping town, looking forward to being mentally abused by puffed up border guards, and cruising down the I5 to Seattle, for a weekend of...you guessed it...FOOD. We've been getting intimate with Seattle little by little over the years and now feel sorta mooshy about it. All that beautiful water, rainy Vancouver-like weather, friendly people and so many unique and interesting eateries.  Let's see how many meals, snacks and drinks we can pack into 48+ hours . Bon appetit! Report next week!