Happy Valentine´s Day

February is the month of love and friendship so for this month we bring you some delicious macarons especially for you.  

What it is?

Macaron is a cookie soft and crunchy at the same time. Normally it is filled with ganache, buttercream or jam. The principal ingredients are almond, sugar and white eggs. 

Where they come from?

Originally they come from Italy in 1500. The word macaron comes from the italian word macaroni. Catherine de Medicis took the recipe to France. In 1660 in Saint Jean de Luz the macarons arises thanks to Adam a pastry chef. Then they were very popular in France and some pastry chefs created their own recipes at their own way, and this macarons become their gourmet speciality. The macarons were served to the king Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. The most popular macarons are situated in Paris. So if you are going to visit Paris don't forget to try macarons from Ladurée and Pierre Hermé they were my favorites.

In May 2015 I was in Saint Jean de Luz so I tried the macaron of the pastry chef Adam. Here you can see the photos of the macarons and they used to look really different.

Recipe: 

Ingredients:

• 60 gr White eggs (1)
• 150 gr Sugar
• 150 gr Almond Powder
• 150 gr Icing sugar
• 60 gr White eggs (2)
• 50 gr Water

Process:

First you have to mix the almond powder and the icing sugar, it´s better if you do it with a processor. Then you have to sift. It is very important to obtain a fine powder. Then you have to make a syrup with the water and the sugar. You have to boil until it reaches 120 degrees. The next thing that you have to do is mix the first preparation with the number 1 white eggs, and form a paste. When you have ready the syrup you have to whipped the white eggs. When they are whipped add softly the syrup and beat at high speed until 50 degrees. Then you have to mix the paste and the merengue and the colorant that you want. Mix in surrounding form so the mix don´t waste volume. Let it rest for a few minutes. Then put the mix in a piping bag with a plain nosil above the baking sheet forming small circules. Let it rest for 1 hour until the preparation crust. Cook at 150 degrees for 15 minutes. Take ir out and let it cool. You can filled with ganache, jam or buttercream.

Verrines

Verrines are sweet desserts. They are made from components layered in small transparent glass. It comes from the french word verrine it means protective glass. This trend began in France a decade ago and now is known in every part of the world. 

Have you ever tried a verrine?

These are our verrines. 

Dessert Name: Lemon cheesecake
Price R22 per slice
Contents: marie cookie base, lemon cheesecake, cream
Serves: 1 person.
Best served with earl grey tea 
To order your Lemon cheesecake or for more info contact Sandy on 0825545045. We deliver anywhere in Durban Metro. Order must must be made 24 hours before delivery time.

Dessert Name: Raspberry Milhojas
Price R28 per cake
Contents: Puff pastry, raspberry jam, Vanilla Cream.
Serves: 1 person.
Best serve with iced tea.
To order your Milhojas or for more info contact Sandy on 0825545045. We deliver anywhere in Durban Metro. Order must must be made 24 hours before delivery time.

Dessert Name: Country Peach Cake
Price R120 per cake
Contents: Vanilla Cake, Peaches, Apricot Jam.
Serves: 8 people.
Best served with Red Tea (Rooibos tea).
To order your Country Peach Cake or for more info contact Sandy on 0825545045. We deliver anywhere in Durban Metro. Order must must be made 24 hours before delivery time.

Our signature dessert the "NAMELAKA".
It contains: Sacher Sponge Cake, Milk Chocolate Ganache and a cocoa glaze. This incredible cake sells for R250.

High Tea Range:
If you would like more information about what tea would be a perfect combination with any of our desserts, Sandy will be able to advise you as she has just finished her Master's in Sweet Pastry, and wrote her thesis on Japanese Tea. She will be glad to help you to make sure your event is the best it can be.
To order any one of these products contact Sandy on 0825545045. We deliver anywhere in Durban Metro. Orders must be made 24 hours before delivery time.