leaving Bordeaux.

Macaron-A-Day # 14: Cassis Violette

The 14th and final Baillardran ('bay-ee-aahr-droh' with phlegmy French r's if you can manage it) macaron.

This one has been a little while in the works partly because my computer was kaput, but partly because neither blackcurrants or violets are in season here, so I had to get a little creative. My first idea was to get a Kir Royale (a very French drink of champagne flavoured with a little cassis syrup) which also seemed like a nice treat to round off the project with. And it was. (Very tasty indeed, I le recommend, and I don't even like champagne. On the other hand, it cost me 4 coffees, so it must've been made with some serious champagne. That or the waiter saw me coming). Unfortunately the Kir was pretty much the colour of rose wine (ie. not remotely purple), so the photo was not up to my standards, which are rapidly increasing, and unfortunately faster than my talent. .

So I had to do a re-do with some jam and lollies. Quel dommage, hey. This was quite a strongly flavoured macaron, and (if I understood the lady right) the violet is the flavour of the creme, and doesn't just refer to the colour. I would have to say that it did taste more floral than it did berry-y, but on the other hand I don't think it was quite as nice as some of the others, as it wasn't as subtle a flavour. Well, you wouldn't expect it to be with a colour like that, would you?

And the result? Well I would have to say that the lemon was my favourite with rose coming second, and coconut third, and vanilla and raspberry getting honourable mentions. Apparently macarons are a speciality of Bordeaux, but apparently also they're a speciality of every other French city, so hopefully this is not the end of my macaron tasting, although I suspect it may be the end of the photo essay. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. It's been a nice little project - it gave a little structure to my week, gave me something a little creative to plan and execute and now I've got a nice little sense of satisfaction at having made something new. Oh, and they tasted good too.

(PS. I wasn't happy with the lemon or raspberry photos, so I went back and re-did them. So I had to eat MORE macarons. Life in France, hey? Anyway, the whole series is here if you want to go back and have a look).