Move over red velvets, Macaroons! This is the new chic way to put on the pounds while looking oh so very French. Here are some interesting facts we found and the best places to get them.
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MACAROONS BY KEL LY F R ASER
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There is big controversy around the correct way to spell Macaroon. The French spell it with a single "o", while in English the word gets two. One "O" or two, the funny thing is that Macaroni and Macaroons both got their names from the Italian word "Maccarone" - meaning beat or crush. 2 SISTER ACT
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DURBAN: MACAROON CAFÉ
For a pinkie-in-the-air high tea, head to Myatt Café in the heart of the V&A Waterfront. This upmarket café boasts a host of delicious confections, not least of all, their wide selection of mouthwatering Macaroons. Give them a ring on 021 418 8844.
If you’re a bit of a Macaroon connoisseur, visit the Macaroon Café on 275 Florida Road, Morningside. The name says is all – think inventive flavours, with new ones being created almost weekly. In the owner’s own words - "Practice makes perfect!" The lucky number is 031 303 6076.
The Macaroon Sisters - or "Les Soeurs Macarons" - were two very clever nuns who escaped the French revolution and made living baking and selling Macaroons. At the time they were a very basic almond, egg white and sugar cookies. Today a plate of Macaroons can make the gay flag look drab. 3 T A K E M E A WA Y
Macaroons are so deeply entrenched in European culture that they are even sold at the MacDonald's in Austria and France. 4 C U R AT E D C O N F E C T I O N S
If we haven't convinced you by now that Macaroons are the most interesting little desserts ever, there is a Museum in Montmorillon France dedicated solely to their history. 5 H AV E Y O U H E A R D ?
J O H A N N E S B U R G : L A PAT I S S E R I E
This lovely, French boudoir-inspired spot in Illovo sells delicious Macaroons at R10 a pop. The setting is perfect for an all-round Macaroon experience a la Audrey Hepburn. Call 011 268 0044 for the lowdown.
TRY YOUR HAND:
There are lots of good Macaroon recipes on the interweb. Why not visit these websites and try it yourself? www.bravetart.com www.cakejournal.com www.foodnouveau.com To follow a real Macaroon Master, find @DecadentDani on Twitter.
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Recently reviving their popularity, Macaroons even made a guest appearance on the much-loved TV show, Gossip Girl. If they are good enough for Blair, they are good enough for me!
Unlike most pastries, Macaroons actually get better with age. After a day or two, their shells become all soft and chewy. So while it’s perfectly normal to devour them all in the car on your way home, it’s actually quite possible to keep them in the fridge for up to a week. Just saying.