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Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts
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{BWB} The Art of A Perfect Macaroon feat. Lauren of Lipglossed Ninja

I mentioned in Friday’s post about how much I love baking.  Saturday’s BWB (Bloggers Who Bless) meet was held at the African Pride Hotel (15 on Orange) in Cape Town and it was by FAR the best meet we have had – it was a Macaroon Workshop (or as I like to call it, being taught the art of a perfect macaroon). The lovely folks over at the African Pride Hotel invited us over to come and experience the joy of making your very own Macaroons.  For those of you that don’t know what a macaroon is, Wikipedia explains it as:
A type of small circular cake, typically made from ground almonds or coconut (and/or other nuts or even potato), with sugar and egg white.  Macaroons are often baked on edible rice paper placed on a baking tray.

I am embarrassed to admit that before Saturday, I had never had a proper macaroon and I can absolutely say that I will definitely have them again.  I am not sure however, if they will come out of my own kitchen.
They were absolutely fun to make, especially in the company of some great woman.  The recipe is simple enough but it does take some skill and some insane arm muscles to mix it all together and then do all the piping.



I am not sure if you have ever been to the African Pride Hotel at 15 on Orange before, this was my first time and the place is gorgeous.  When you walk through the main doors you get greeted by the concierge who automatically showed us where to go in order to reach the workshop.  When we (I mention we because Lisa-Jade & myself drove together and then found Leana parking her car at the same time as us and then we found Jen looking a little frantic since she couldn’t find the meeting room).  Eventually we made it into the meeting room which was set up beautifully and full of some lovely ladies I am lucky enough to call friends.


I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun I had and if you have never baked a macaroon yourself then you should definitely give it a try.  An even better option would be for you to get a group together and arrange for a macaroon workshop all of your own.  I believe that they do the workshops for groups of 12 or more and the rate is R295 per person (don’t quote me on that amount though).



I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Heather who arranged the workshop as well as to EC Sanel & Chef Retha for enduring our constant photography, comments, cheering, boos and my occasional swearing.
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Macaron fun with 15 on Orange and BWB feat Rushda of RuBe's Closet ...

Hello lovely readers,

When I was invited to attend a macaron (not the coconut macaroons ahem!) workshop, I instantly accepted and committed to attending. Thereafter, I realised that I would be fasting at the time, but hey, I was so keen to attend. I mean two hours out of my day is doable right? And whilst I don't usually do events or anything of the sort during Ramadaan, this workshop was going to teach me to make super awesome macarons!
The set up was beautifully done, with really yummy snacks and drinks - none of which I could indulge in (thankfully I could pack a goodie bag to take home). The executive chef, Sanet, and her pastry chef, Retha, welcomed us and after mingling and quick chat with my BWB buddies, we started the demonstration of making the perfect macaron.

It really does seem so easy to make, and the actual secret is in getting the consistency just right. I mean egg whites, sugar, food colouring and ground almonds… what could go wrong right? Actually lots! The piping action, for one, has to be done at a 90 degree angle to ensure the macarons raise evenly. Secondly, the almonds, need to be so fine that it doesn’t clog the piping bag.. and so on and so on.
Aside from the technical side of making macarons, the workshop was just so much fun! I was in stitches for most parts of the morning and catching up with the ladies was the best part. What I really love about our group is all the different personalities, and how well we all fit together. 

I would like to thank Sanet for hosting us in absolute style and opening up her kitchen to a bunch of (sometimes rowdy) women. The hotel was such a beautiful setting, the perfect background to learn the art of making dainty little macarons. 

Sanet awaiting the rush of all the ladies
Retha, pastry chef and magician in my eyes


So lucky I could pack some these goodies as a takeaway




These wouldn’t as a goodie bag treat, but for obvious reasons didn’t last long!




Nicola is pretty close to making perfect macarons- so impressed!

Heather asssiting to seperate the eggs

Just add ground almonds and you have the makings of a perfect macaron

Beautiful Alice, adding the food colouring



Practising the piping on meringues


Sarah, using some elbow grease to ensure that the almonds are finely ground

Lauren, who kept repeating the new word MACARON….
Jen, drawing outlines as a template to ensure evenly sized macarons

Voila!

Jens, most creative gift jar :-)

Add a bit of lippy before hitting the road….

An amazing morning spent with newly found friends!

Ciao for now, 
RuBe xoxo

RuBe's Closet
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