Parisians travel in style!

Restaurant Le Train Bleu ~ Gare de Lyon ~ Paris

Reposted from  http://vickiarcher.com/2010/02/thinking-of-paris-some-more/

Everybody loves macarons!

Ladruee's Macaron Recipe

 

 Macaron shells

2 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp (275g) ground almonds

2 cups + 1 tbsp (250g) confectioners sugar

6 egg whites + half and egg white

1 cup + 1 tbsp (210g) granulated sugar

1. combine the ground almonds and confectioners sugar in a food processor and pulse to obtain a fine powder. then strain through a sieve to remove any lumps.

2. in a clean dry bowl, whisk 6 egg whites to a foam. once they are frothy, add a third of the granulated sugar and whip until sugar is dissolved then add another third of the granulated sugar and whip for another minute, finally add the remaining granulated sugar and whip for 1 more minute.

using a rubber spatula, delicately fold in the sifted mixture of ground almonds and confectioners sugar into the whipped egg whites. in a separate bowl whip the remaining egg white until just frothy, then add to the mixture folding it in gently to loosen the batter.

  3. transfer mixture to a piping bag fitted with a plain tip. on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, pipe small macaron rounds 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 in diameter. lightly tap the sheet so the macarons spread fully.

  preheat oven to 300f/ 150c or gas mark 2 allow the macarons to sit uncovered for 10 minutes and then place them in the oven,bake for approximately 15 minutes until they form a slight crust.

4. remove from oven and with a small glass carefully pour a tiny amount of water in between the baking sheet and the parchment paper (lift the paper ever so slightly corner by corner).

the moisture and steam that result from the water on the hot baking sheet will allow the macarons to peel of easily once they are cool.

do not pour too much water or the macarons could become soggy.

allow them to cool completely.

 

Fillings

there are lots of different fillings you could use for macarons.

to make the almond ones from the Laduree book you will need

150g butter

320g almond paste

120g unsweetened almond pulp (or heavy cream)

80ml whipping cream

directions

1. cut the butter into small pieces. put in a heat proof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water and soften until creamy, without allowing it to melt.

in a large bowl, thin the almond paste by mixing it with the almond pulp, add the chilled cream and softened butter and beat on high speed with an electric whisk.

spoon the cream into a piping bag fitted with a plain tip and pipe on to one of the shells and sandwich another on top.

keep macarons in an airtight container in the fridge for 12 hours before tasting. this is because during this time a reaction takes place among the ingredients further enhancing the flavor and texture.

 

 

Reposted from  http://www.twiggstudios.com/2013/05/laduree-macaron-recipe.html

Paris Pastries

Wonderful pastries abound at the bakeries of Rue Cler in Paris! Can't you just taste the buttery, sweet strawberry goodness?!

Tour de Eiffel

Does it get any more French than this?

Jean-Paul Gaultier has created for his Autumn-Winter 2011 collection, the Eiffel Tower lace tights.   Photo credit: Patrice Stable

Searching for the best Madeleines in Paris?

Our Top 3 freshly baked Madeleines

According to the girls at the Cadran Hotel (10 rue du Champ de Mars,75007 Paris) these are the three best places to find yummy Madeleines!

 

The PATISSERIE DES REVES
The bakery of the famous pastry chef Philippe Conticini. His authentic crispy madeleine with its delicate vanilla taste is certainly our top choice (2€) – 93 Rue du Bac 75007 Paris
FAUCHON
Fauchon’s Madeleine Bar stays is a Parisian must. The pistachio madeleine with its hazelnut melted heart, subtly knows how to catch our attention   (1,50€) – 30 Place de la Madeleine  75008 Paris
LA GRANDE EPICERIE
The finest gourmet Parisian adress, to eat in or to takeaway. Not only are the madeleines delicious but they are huge ! We loooove them !  (2,15€) – 38 Rue de Sèvres  75007 Paris

Musee Cafe

Jacquemart-André Café
The eponymous Musée café is one of the most beautiful Tearooms in Paris, complete with antique tables and a romantic, elegant ambiance.Yum!



 Photo credit: « Culturespaces / Anita Agence Sofiacom

 

After a wonderful day walking around Paris you can look forward to a sumptuous candlelit feast! 

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/289919294732411230/

Only in Paris!

Only in Paris would you fine an abandoned park bench with an empty bottle of Champagne on it...

 

Or fantastical dragon posts....
 

Or gorgeous roses behind it.  Just one of the many reasons to love Paris!

Paris in the Spring Time

 Paris in the springtime. Tres jolie! Close your eyes and you can almost smell the flowers. Sit on the grass for a while and enjoy the view of one of the most beautiful places in the world!




http://cindab.com/blog/2012/02/14/romantic-valentines-day/

July 14th in Paris!


Photo credit: Yann Caradec – Feu d’artifice du 14 juillet 2011 sur les sites de la Tour Eiffel et du Trocadéro à Paris vu de la Tour Montparnasse

Paris Delights

 

Can't you just imagine strolling down a back alley in Paris and coming across this yummy little antique brocante? Who knows what little treasures you might find inside....

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/047/2/c/monmartr_by_goalexxagofoto-d4px9zs.jpg