THE Ultimate Macaroon

O.K., O.K. So, for years and years, I had been missing out. Missing out on what you ask? Well, on just about one of the most glorious, deliciously satisfying culinary treats. Ever!!!!

So, here begins this story. A few months back, I had been casually looking at some foodblogs and came across the blog by the famous pastry Chef David Lebovitz. I read through all of his recipes and came across French macaroons. Hmmm…I was curious to discover how French macaroons compared to those I knew; you know those delicious coconut, meringue concoctions.

So, I clicked further to read the actual recipe and what I saw in the photos shared no resemblance at all to what I had been calling the macaroon my entire life. A sandwiched cookie, which from the photo actually resembled, to my mind, the German lebkuchen- a Christmas specialty made from a mass of ground almonds, eggs, flour and spices, (we will talk more about this in 9 months).

According to the recipe, the wafer actually does shares some resemblance to the well-known coconut macaroon. It is made from ground almonds, powdered sugar and egg whites. Instead of using coconut flakes, you use ground -actually, no POWDERED almonds, which create a light and lovely marzipany mass. I love almonds and marzipan in particular, so this sounded great to me! I was already eyeing my kitchen counter to see if I had enough almonds in stock, as I was going to make these babies immediately! I could taste them already.

Then I read on. There was more.

The marzipany wafers, once cooled were sandwiched together with a rich ganache. Is this not sheer perfection?!

Once sandwiched, David suggests to let the macaroons sit for a day to allow the flavours to blend and settle.  I dashed into the kitchen only to realise that I did not have any creme for the ganache nor enough almonds. Horror!!! I am by far not the most patient person and once I get my mind set into doing something-it must be done. Not later, but immediately!

I then discovered that the French macaroon non plus ultra was to be found at the famed Ladurée, in Paris. I clicked into their website and became nothing less than obsessed. The macaroons literally sprung out of the page and held me…grabbed me… hypnotized me with its vibrant colours and light, crispy looking perfection.

I wanted…no, I needed to taste this French macaroon before I could even begin to venture into making them myself. I needed to know what I was aiming for.  I just could not imagine how I had missed out on these things. I even lived in Paris for a while and never came across them. What was wrong with me???!!!

I began making a plan as to how best I could get a hold of these macaroons as soon as possible. I called my former room-mate in Paris and wanted to ask her if she could send me a package. Her phone rang and I discovered that she was away for the next couple of months. Who else did I know there? My mind went racing madly trying to figure this out. I finally decided to call Ladurée and asked them if I could purchase one of their gift boxes. After being forwarded for a fourth time, and told that they do not send gift boxes. I asked most kindly, pleaded and then begged her to make an exception (I know what you all are thinking!). When she asked where I live, I felt that she would cave in and the next sentence which came out of her mouth was absolute music to my ears: “bet, elm, Berrlen….mais oui, (we) oui ehh av ay shop in Berlen since one month in Galeries Lafayette!

“Galeries Lafayette?! This is  very close to where I live, why didn’t you tell me??!! Thanks you soooo much” I concluded. The lady had continued to speak, but I only realised it as I had hung up the phone in the rush of my excitement. All that I can say, is that within 23 minutes I had managed to get dressed, travel 2.8 Kilometers to Galleries Lafayette, find Ladurée, decide which macaroons to buy and travel 2.8 kilometers back home. I honestly think that I made world record here. Applause please!

I placed my freshly purchased macaroons, still in the box, on my dinner table. I just stared at the box, which in itself  looks very elegant. Then, very slowly mind you, I took each of the 20 out of the box and placed them onto a plate. The white plate suddenly became a gloriously vibrant rainbow. I looked at them again for a while in satisfaction. And then, I decided that the chocolate macaroon would be my first. My very first! I held in my hand, and it was so terribly light. I inspected it, examining the shine and the smooth roundness of the wafer. Then, I smelt it hoping to hold this scent for ever in my memories. Then.

I took my first bite. My teeth sank into the crisp and ever-so-thin layer covering the soft, marzipany inside. My teeth sank then further reaching and experiencing yet another layer-another consistency-the rich perfectly sweetened chocolate ganache. And then further into the soft marzipan. This all then found its closure in the thin crisp, which initiated the experience. I savoured this moment and with each chew the flavours became more and more intense.

I was literally held in time by this experience, I was there, fully and completely in that moment and at “one” with that macaroon.

I cannot describe what a sense of satisfaction I had after eating those macaroons, not only because they are simply divine. But also because I had achieved exactly that which I set out to do. I was determined and it certainly paid off! I am the sort of person who is constantly hard on myself, never doing good-enough, waking up day after day frustrated and not fulfilled. and then, this tiny little seemingly insignificant experience gave me such joy.

Since that day, I try to apply what I refer to as my “macaroon concept” to my daily life. What is that? Well, I try to create a small goal for me to achieve every day, whether it applies to work, personal development, relationship, …anything. It always gives me a sense of satisfaction however tiny it may be, these little moments are worth so much. The macaroon concept is also about breaking things down into small little units and using them as steps. I realised with this, that one (I) often get(s) lost in the big picture of life and dreams and forget(s) the small things-and to live in the here and the now.