Can I tell you...about my addiction to macarrons. Ever since I ate my first macarron on my first trip to Paris, I've been hooked. It was over coffee at Laduree' on Rue Royale with Sophie Albou. We had been shopping all day and just needed some coffee (cafe' noisette to be precise) and Sophie suggested I try this 'typically French' dessert. The rest as they say is history.
Speaking of history, here's a little tidbit:
The classic French almond Macarron is a unique delicacy among gourmet treats. Not exactly a candy, not exactly a cookie, a real Macarron is a baked confection with a golden-brown crinkled top, a soft chewy texture inside, and a delicate lingering taste of fresh almonds.
According to legend, the macarron was invented in an Italian monastery in 1792. Later, two Carmelite nuns, hiding in the town of Nancy during the French Revolution, baked and sold macarrons to cover their expenses. They became known as the "Macarron Sisters." The cookie recipe was supposedly passed on to the Jewish community in France, who subsequently made it a staple of Passover baking.
Now, every time I go Paris I indulge my craving for these heavenly sinful confections of sweet little pleasures. I've found several places that make really good ones.
Cafe' Angelina on Rue de Rivoli is the most convenient since it's a hop and a skip from my hotel. They're also famous for their Mont Blanc(white hot chocolate!). Worth every bit of calory! Laduree' is always jammed with people so you'll have to take your macarrons to go. In the Marais, there's Mariage Freres, the legendary tea salon that makes 'green tea macarrons', SO GOOD, it kills me!
Then in the 7th arrondisement, there's Pierre Herme, who is giving Laduree a run for their money. There's always a line outside his store. That's how I discovered him actually. I was curious about the line down the street, so I lined up and voila! A roomful of macarrons, financiers, fruit tartes, and other delectable temptations. I just died and went to heaven. Trust me, it was worth the wait.
So next time you're in Paris, and if you have a sweet tooth like me, head over to any of the places I've mentioned. You'll be happy you did...I promise! Sweet dreams truly are made of these.
