Easy Peasy Cheats Macarons

Sunday 23 December 2012

The laptop is not fully dead. It's about 87% dead (don't ask how I worked out that percentage). It is taunting me - it switches on, the screen looks the same but only five keys work. Pah! So providing I am good and that I don't have food and drink within a five metre radius, the Grumps is humouring me by letting me write the odd blog post on his laptop.

Last weekend, we went to a friend's birthday party. I took along some macarons :o)

My favourite are the pistachio and the coffee ones. Yum.

I can't lie - these are actually Lidl macarons. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them in the freezer section and quick as a flash squirrelled two boxes in my basket. At £2.99 for a box of 12 - I could not be more delighted! On the day, I put them in a  mooncake tin and passed them off as my own. Well the intention was to make some but after some googling on macaron recipes and the fact that most began with the words "these are one of the most difficult things you can make ….", I threw in the towel straight away. Did I ever tell you that a baker I am not? Anyway, like I said, I can't lie and I did confess to the macarons origins after everyone had cooed over how wonderful they were. And you're wondering what is a mooncake tin? These are tins which house little Chinese mooncakes* which are eaten during the Chinese mid-Autumn festival. I personally don't like mooncakes but I do like the tins which usually have really pretty designs on them and I ask my family to save me them so I can put brownies (the only things I can bake) in them as presents for people.

So just in time for the Christmas and New Year dinner parties, this is my tip for you. Go and raid the freezers at Lidl for some macarons. It will save you time, money, blood, sweat and tears from your attempts at making them unless you have nothing better to do and up for a masochistic challenge. You will have perfect macarons which are ready for consumption in 45 mins (time to defrost). Box them up and make them look even prettier than they already are and they will be the perfect little dinner party/Christmas party offering. 

Don't say I never tell you anything useful!

And if I don't get chance to do a last post before Christmas - I wish you all a very merry Christmas and I hope Santa brings you good health and fabby presents! Ho Ho Ho!

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For Info :

  • Mooncakes* are a pastry which are filled with either red bean or lotus seed paste filling which usually contain the yolks of salted duck eggs. They are offered as gifts between friends and family during this festival time. 




18 comments

  1. Yum yum - what a great treat! Will look out for them!! Happy Christmas Sue . X

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    1. I went past a Lidl today and guess what .... none to be found! I was going to treat myself to a box over Crimbo but it wasn't to be. Merry Christmas Claire - hope there's something nice under the tree for you tomorrow!

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  2. They look fab....thanks for the tip-off! Susan, it's been lovely getting to know you this year. What a year, eh? Here's to 2013! Happy Christmas to you, the Grumps and your gorgeous wee boys. Avril x

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    1. Avril, it's been a pleasure meeting you and thank you for your support. And like you say, what a year eh? Merry Christmas to you and all your family too. I'm sure you'll have a fab day despite being in the doing seat!

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  3. Lidl?! I actually didn't know you guys had Lidl over there. Isn't it the weirdest store ever? I love it for some things, but in general it seems kinda shady to me, such a random assortment of items must have just "fallen off a truck" somewhere which is why it's all so cheap! What a great find with the macaroons though! Never would have guessed. Have a wonderful christmas!!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

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    1. Oh yes we have Lidls over here. They're cheap and cheerful and I pop in when I have 20 mins when my boys are having a swimming lesson and sometimes you do find some little gems but it is quite random like you say. The cheap prices are due to the no frills - they don't even give you space at the till to pack just to make sure you move along quickly. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas too - it certainly looks festive where you are. Merry Christmas Defne!

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  4. I love mooncakes and macaroons. Sadly Lidl and mooncakes are not to be found in Norway:( Have a great Christmas, Liz xx

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    1. Hi Liz, You like moon cakes? You took me by surprise there! Well I'll send some your way, next time I get offered any. Hope you have a great Christmas with your family. The boys are bound to keep you busy (but happy)!.

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  5. Great tip....I'll be off to lidl ASAP.tried to make "easy" macaroons once, not easy! Have a great Xmas ( my ebay monsoon dress will get 2 more outings over the next week, despite the rustling!!).

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    1. It does rustle doesn't it but it still looks damned good on! Yeah - just get some Lidl macarons and be done with it. I'm one for an easy life. Hope you have a lovely Christmas Claire and don't go too bonkers in the sales now will you?

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  6. I love macarons! I still can't forget the salted caramel from Pierre Herme.

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    1. Salted caramel sounds divine. I've had salted caramel ice cream and that was very yummy so I can imagine the macarons being just as fab. These are my first taste of macarons and I don't really know what to expect - next time in London, I'm going to hunt down some Laduree ones! Have a great Christmas Melody!

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  7. Ah don't have a Lidl, wonder if Aldi do them!

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    1. I don't know but I can always check next time I'm in one. So I remember you tried making some a while back - how difficult were they really to make?

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  8. Love Lidl, I discovered those a couple of weeks ago - delicious! x

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    1. They're brilliant for the price but I definitely wan to try one of the posh ones to see what the difference is.

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  9. haha they look amazing! and definitely good value, macarons can be as much as $3/4 for ONE here.. they are a bit tricky to make but once you get the technique right they are actually really easy.. still takes a bit of time and patience tho..

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. I heard they were a bit expensive from my niece who has had the pleasure of sampling the Laduree ones. Stephanie, I am one of the worst bakers around - I know when not to go there!

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Susie So So