Lisa's Culinary Atrocities

  Interrupting the vacation rehash for this very important discovery: the macaron.

I’ve been fighting against the macaron.  Not macaroooon, but macaron. Why?  Well, not sure except to say that maybe it’s because I saw it as becoming a fad in America and I got all snotty and decided that I hate seeing such a perfect treat be introduced into pop culture.  I’ll admit, I was totally being feisty, and I had absolutely NO reason to do so, so I humbly relinquish my pre-conceived and unwarranted notions, and all others notions without basis for that matter, so I can be a kinder, gentler and more open person…  Ok, now that my soul is taken care of, lets get down to eating!

  I sit quietly on the kitchen floor and observe this dark little confection sitting strikingly against a white plate.  It is looking at me—inviting, yet a little stand-offish.  The powdery top says “Stay away. I am bitter”.  The inner tongue of ganache says “Come hither. I am sweet”.  I pick it up and slowly put it to my lips.  The spicy, petal soft, raw & spicy cocoa is jolting, my lips are curious.  But as I delicately slide my teeth into the ever-so-thin crunchy domed top, I am met with the sensation of chewy dark rich chocolate.  Then comes the layer of deep creamy chocolate ganache, followed by the other chewy rich dark chocolate crunch and spicy powder…  pause.  The rich chocolate fills my mouth.  The raw spicy cocoa mingles and joins. The series of sensations sink in.  I am a convert.

…recovering….

We are lucky to have a few French Patisseries nearby, and now I am more than willing to explore the plethora of creative flavors that I commonly see offered, from pistachio to violet to bergamot. I would like to taste them all. 

I just looked online and check these out from Pix Patisserie here in Portland. What-oh! They have a Salt-Pepper & Olive Oil Macaron!?  A Scotch Whiskey Macaron?  I need to get with it. They also have one called the Meka Leka Hi Meka Hiney Ho Macaron (yay Pee-wee) filled with trillium absinthe butter cream and chocolate covered pop rocks!  Now THIS is what makes me wonder if we’re taking these in the wrong direction…but this may be good.  Think I need to try it.  And since WHEN am I unadventurous?  Ppft.

I believe I now I need to go to both Pix and France so I can try them in their regional variations…and learn how to make them…to compare, you know ;)