Thursday, November 29, 2007

Matcha (Green Tea) Macarons and a Christmas Musical


I have come to realise that macarons, well, they GROW on you. I now understand why so many people are 'infatuated' with this cookie - the many colors that they come in and the many flavours that it can carry . I could not be happier with my second attempt at making this cookie - they were smaller and daintier, and the flavor of 'matcha' or green tea goes incredibly well with dark chocolate eventhough it wasn't the filling that I had originally intended for it.




I had initially planned to use a matcha butter cream for the filling, but for some reason that didn’t turn out – it was too runny, and I was tired and didn’t want to start another batch of butter cream. So, I just made some chocolate ganache – easy, quick and fuss-free. As expected, the flavour combination of matcha and dark chocolate was sensational.




The first time I made macarons, I left the piped batter to sit for half an hour for the ‘skin’ to develop. I felt though, that the ‘skin’ was too thin, so this time around, I left the piped batter to sit for two hours instead and the outcome was a crisper and less fragile skin. To make the matcha macarons, all I did was add 2 teaspoons of matcha green tea powder to the basic macaron batter.



I also wanted the macarons a little less sweet, so I lessened the powdered sugar by 35 grams and it turned out great.



Matcha Macaron Batter

125g almond flour
190g powdered (icing) sugar
100g egg whites
25g granulated sugar
Pinch of cream of tartar
2tsps matcha green tea powder




Baking instructions and the recipe for the chocolate ganache can be found on my previous post.






I’ve not had time to do any blogging the last two weeks because of the many rehearsals we had to attend for a Christmas musical that our Church is staging this Saturday. It’s a really entertaining and enjoyable musical, so if you live on my side of the world, I welcome you to attend. You will not be disappointed!



EVENT: "Heaven's Lamb" Christmas Musical (SUPPER Provided after)
DATE: Saturday 1st December 2007
TIME: 6:00 P.M.
PLACE: Perth Christian Life Centre
3 Rangerview Place, Canning Vale 6155
ADMISSION: FREE

37 comments:

daphne said...

Such beautiful Macarons. I might go to you for lessons one day! The musical sounds great! Have to check with fiance but I think we will be there!!!

Ashley said...

Another remarkable macaroon! The photos and plating are so beautiful!

Vida said...

This look wonderful, I might give them a try!! Vida x

Dwiana P said...

I wish I could be there for Christmas musical. Anyway those are fab macrons and nice shot too!

Big Boys Oven said...

cool! what a lovely macaroons!

Anonymous said...

Carol, do you know that im going to help u with sunday school kids on Saturday?? hahaha :P. I never go to the rehearsal before, but im going there tomorrow morning, so you can let me know what to do :P. Hope i dont mess up things...
-Fang2-

Kajal@aapplemint said...

they look so lovely. I think the choc filling is much better than the matcha filling. Good u decided to go with this.

Anonymous said...

waaaaaa.....the best macaroons ever....T_T cry.....i wanna try to make those today......hihihi....
i met Paige and Chloe today they practicing the drama and dance they are awesome.....:)....
teach me plzzzzzzzz :) how to make the macaroons HAVE FEET!!! hehehee.....

Nora B. said...

wow Carol, you are definitely turning out to be a real Macaron expert! These look terrific and I love all the photos.

Nora

Joy said...

Another wonderful post! Love your photos. I wish I could visit your kitchen and have loads of fun creating yummy things to eat for our families.

joy
The Goddess In You
Norwich Daily Photo
Your Love Coach

Ming the Merciless said...

Wow, the color is amazing! You've outdone yourself again with the photography.

SIG said...

Wow! They look wonderful. Congrats on your success. Thought so you must be busy with something haha, as no news for past few weeks.

tigerfish said...

Oh.....when I can ever lay my hands on your macarons. Another perfect creation from you. Love it!

daphne said...

oh carol! I'm so sorry! I got the dates mixed up. I thought it's the 8th of Dec for the musical and 1st of Dec for the caroling that my church is holding... argh!

Christina Kim said...

Really nice macarons and so Christmassy:D
A Christmas musical is also nice...how I wish I can be there!!:D

Moments said...

WOHOO... i'm at work now, and i have to do my best to keep my mouth dry... i bet those macarons tastes beautiful just like the photos...

BTW, last christmas celebration was awesome. Click on this link to see the photos:
http://www.therocks.org.au/photos/Christmas07/album/

GBU.

Ming the Merciless said...

I responded to your question on my blog but I'm attaching it here anyway. :-)


My favorite gifts are definitely the magazine subscriptions I get from my brother and friends every year.

I love magazines and most subscriptions are fairly inexpensive. In addition, the magazines come every month so I get the "gifts" throughout the year.

Chibog in Chief said...

what a coincidence, i was thinking of cooking something with matcha today..well those macarons look absolutely divine!! and by the way,i love musical show, are you a professional singer? Hope you will teach me some techniques later.;coz my hubby cant stand when i belt out some Celine..:-)

Rafe Totengco said...

I wish they had matcha macarons in Fauchon here in NY. :-(

Rasa Malaysia said...

Your props are soooo zen, I loooove it. Recently I am obsessed with using stones and pebbles as my backdrop, too, they are too nice.

Unknown said...

this and previous post about macarons makes me want to grab some of these stuff and put it in my mouth!!

let's see if i get time to try making them. i will be on long leave! (yey!)

Veron said...

Wow you sure are rocking those macarons. They look beautiful! Matcha is on my to-do list too.

Annette Tan said...

See, had you learned how to make macarons before coming to Singapore, I could've gotten a lesson from you! Looks fab! We're moving house this week so it's been absolutely crazy! Love to you girls and Ming.

WokandSpoon said...

Those macaroons are gorgeous! One of my favourite foods! I'll have to try making them one of these days!

Isadora said...

What classy photos! and a beautiful tea towel! I've switched all of mine off for these kinds - so beautiful and so much more absorbent.

SteamyKitchen said...

You know, I have never made macaroons before. Maybe its time to try? I'm scared! Dunno why!

kezia*anastasia said...

Carolll.. u combined two greatest things in my love affair with food... green tea and chocolate!!

Would loveeeeeeeeee to try and make some (and eat some!)

Rafe Totengco said...

if only macarrons traveled well, I'd order some of these goodies from you. happy holidays to you as well Carol.

Ming the Merciless said...

mammagrams = ouch!

Hope all is well.

Mansi said...

wow, these are absolutely amazing! and your pics are just awesom! I loved the color contrast and the presentation:)

grocer said...

Hi there,
I have nothing to contribute to your article per se. I saw your photo on taste spotting and thought you might like to look at
http://www.syrupandtang.com/
duncan has done a beautiful series on macarons.

SteamyKitchen said...

hey! how are you? we haven't chatted in a while. Love the macaroon photo.

Big hug,
jaden

food makes me happy said...

very nice pictures you got there!

Hillary said...

Wow - I was so right, matcha really is all over the place! But these macarons are totally justified - delicious!

Dantelightbox. said...

those look wonderful but would anyone know where to find them in the greater surrounds of Perth town (Leederville, Subiaco or Perth?)

=]

thanks ahead.

Anonymous said...

Those look great, what kind of matcha did you use? Would something like this work - baking matcha?

Anonymous said...

interesting post. I would love to follow you on twitter.