27 June 2008

do the macaroooooon



Here is a recipe for some of the BEST treats on earth. Those of you who will be in London or France in the next little bit let me know and I will tell you where to get thses nummy treats. Laduree is famous for making the world's best macaroon. http://www.laduree.fr/public_en/historique/histoire_macaron.htm



Ingredients
Makes about 30
1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 cups (4 ounces) sliced almonds, finely ground, or almond flour
All-purpose flour, for dipping
3 large egg whites
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 recipe Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Sift confectioners' sugar into a bowl. Whisk in almonds; set aside. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats (such as Silpats), and mark circles using a 1 1/2-inch cutter dipped in flour.
Put egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until foamy, then beat in salt. Beat in granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, until medium-soft peaks form. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.
Using a rubber spatula, fold half the almond mixture into the egg white mixture until just incorporated. Fold in vanilla and remaining almond mixture until just incorporated. Firmly tap bottom of bowl on counter to eliminate air pockets.
Transfer mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip (such as Ateco #806). Pipe mixture into marked circles on prepared baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until macaroons are slightly firm and can be gently lifted off parchment (bottoms will be dry), 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool on sheets 5 minutes. Transfer macaroons on parchment to a wire rack; let cool completely.
Spread 2 teaspoons buttercream on flat sides of half the macaroons, then sandwich with remaining halves, keeping flat sides together. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes, before serving.

16 June 2008

the best nights sleep


The other night it was so slow at Sports Den that we started asking each other random questions and someone asked me where the best night of sleep I have ever had was. It was such a random question so it took me a minute to figure it out. I can't believe I didn't think of it right off the top of my head because it really was the best night of sleep I can ever remember. About a year ago from right now I was lucky enough to go stay at a friends beach house with my mom and a couple of other good family friends in Laguna. This beach house is so beautiful and charming and is literally right on the beach. It looked like a beach house out of an Anthropologie catalog. I fell in love immediately. My bedroom that I stayed in had two double beds in it. The beds were so cozy and soft that it was hard to get out of them once you were laying in them. We flew into Cali that night and so when we got to the beach house we stayed up and had a little girl talk and then got ready and went to bed. It was a little hot in our room so Sallee and I opened the windows. There was just the perfect breeze outside and you could smell the fresh ocean. The sound of the waves were just perfect. They weren't so loud that it was hard to fall asleep, they were just soft and perfect. We both instantly fell asleep and the next morning woke up pretty early but we were refreshed and ready to hit the beach, which was surprising...the girl talk lasted till the wee hours of the morning the night before. That is by far the best night of sleep I have ever had and also one of the most relaxing and fun trips.