French macarons

As any parisian, I have my favorite sweets. Beside croissants, pain au chocolat, Paris Brest among others, one of my absolute favorites is Macaron. Of all the flavors out there, I particularly love macarons à la rose.

For the macaron's shell:

3/4 cup almond meal (almond flour)
1 cup confectioner sugar
2 egg whites
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Optional: rose extract and red or pink gel paste food coloring

Mix together the almond meal with the confectioner sugar. I sometime blend them using my grinder/food processor though you can also whisk them together in a bowl. Then sift mix as to avoid small clump from the almond meal. The sifting process can take a bit of time but well worth it as you'll have smooth shells.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy then add the sugar. Beat until you reach a meringue like consistency. When you get soft peaks, add some food coloring, note that color tends to fade down when baking. Then beat again until you get stiff peaks.

Add to your meringue about half of your dry mixture (almond meal and confectioner sugar), fold it carefully until fully blended then add the rest and fold again. (if you made chocolate mousse, the folding process is the same).















Then transfer your batter into a piping bag with a round tip. I personally use a ziploc bac and I cut a corner off. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, pipe carefully small round circles. You decide what size you want, though keep them apart from each other about an inch.
Once you are done with piping them. Tap your sheet 2-3 times as to get air out (so no bubbles) then let sit 15-30 min to dry.

Once they are dry, place them in the middle rack of your oven at 300 degree Fahrenheit and bake them for 12-15 min. Don't forget to turn your baking sheet mid process. I tend to turn mines at 5-6 min. They should rise and form feet.

Let them cool off completely before filling them. They are very fragile while warm.

For the filling:

1/2 stick of butter softened (unsalted)
1 cup of powdered/confectioner sugar
1-3 Tbsp of heavy cream
rose extract to your taste

Optional: food coloring

In a bowl, beat your butter until soft and creamy. Add gradually your sugar and mix until all blended. Add your rose extract (I like a strong floral flavor so I add quite a bit). Add the heavy cream, it will make the consistency of your buttercream much smoother and spreadable. Add some food coloring if you wish. (I add 1 drop to get a very pale pink to contrast with my darker pink shells). Transfer to a piping bag and fill your macarons.

I strongly suggest storing your macarons in your fridge until serving. I try to let them sit for a day as to get the flavor to really sit.

Another favorite flavor of mine is rose-raspberry.
I use the same shells, though I add a bit of rose extract in my shell batter. I use Bonne Maman raspberry jam as my filling. Voilà Rose-raspberry macarons.

Note: the rose buttercream above tends to be too sugary to my taste though all my friends like it as is. I personally cut back a bit. Hence, some people use 1 1/4 cup confectioner sugar, I tend to cut it to 3/4 cup for 1 cup of almond meal. Though it is entirely up to you.

My first week following my new resolutions

Well, I am happy to report I did follow with some success my new resolutions. I have been drawing, playing words with friends and going to bed earlier. I also chose to tackle tasks I didn't want to undertake: clean my oven, clean my closet (not quite done yet though should be by tomorrow), and stay on top of cluster.

Trying to stay on top of cluster, I thought I would share some of my tips and deco/organization solutions.

1) I make a point to leave the kitchen as I entered it: clean after I cook or bake.
2) If run the dishwasher: I empty it whether same day or if run late at night, first thing in morning.
3) Before I go to bed, I try to do 15 min of simple cleaning: whether wiping my bathroom counters, doing dust in one room, or picking up my pups toys.

Regarding toys, my dogs don't pick up after themselves, however, I found a way to display their toys in a fun way. I use a rolling cart (part of an activity table from Pottery Barn kids), which I fill with their toys.

4) As I reorganize my closet, I acquire four under-bed baskets from Pottery Barn, to store and sort through my clothes that I don't hang.

So far so good.

Successful day (took advantage of Sunday)

Yesterday, I followed through with my commitment to clean and organize. I tackled a few tasks I dreaded. I cleaned my oven with baking soda and white vinegar, this also included me cleaning the racks in my bathtub in warm water with dish detergent. All I will say is "it worked"- I have silver colored racks instead of black. Beside this, I also reclaimed my cast iron le creuset pot which I scored during a thrift store visit. The inside was black (previous meals burnt), I poured some cola soda and let it sit overnight. Acid in soda ate most of it, saving my elbow grease (which I used for my oven). Then I used some baking soda and white vinegar, forming a paste and scrub away with a sponge (rough side). My pot was white (cream colored): success!!! 

On a side note: I took my pups to the vet for their annual routine. Both were so well behaved, as usual my vet commented they eat better than him. I feed them Acana and Orijen food, while I also once in a while feed them Fromm (mixed in). As vet commented it shows, both Curley and Rowdy are in great shape. I am certain though that our almost daily 3 miles walk in the woods helps. Despite the low temperature and the snow out, we went out yesterday morning for a 3 miles hike. I will comment that I was glad for my fleece lined long john under my jeans. Pups wore their sherpa lined coats. Rowdy managed to kill a mole even with ground covered with a few inches of snow. He is definitely my hunter. Curley as usual found himself a long "log" not a branch to carry proudly. 

Overall, it was a successful day: I accomplished a lot. By time it was evening and I finished making  my bed with clean sheets, pups were happy to pass out on it. 

My own Happiness Project inspired by Gretchen Rubin

About maybe two years ago, I was given The Happiness Project book by Gretchen Rubin, I devoured it though it has been a while since I followed some of the useful tips in it. As I was thinking of resolutions I could undertake to better myself, I thought I would perhaps revisit this book and its concept. After all, I am in search of my own happiness.

So following her concept, below are my own January's Resolution: Less chaos

1. A better sleeping routine

2. Exercise and eat better

3. Stay on top of cluster

4. Toss and organize

5. Tackle a nagging task

6. Discover meditation

1. If I was to be honest, I truly enjoy reading as I go to sleep. I also like to draw as a mean to unwind after a long day. I know from past experiences that I also like doing sudoku, ken ken or play words with friends as I drift to sleep. Can I incorporate these into my daily routine when it comes to my bedtime routine? I believe so. 

First, in order for I to get 8 hrs of sleep, I must commit to set time to which I must turn off my light. Perhaps, during the week, I must turn it off by 11pm (if not 10:30). Also, nights I wish to read, how long do I accord myself? up to one hour (I tend to stay up late to finish books - can't do this anymore). 

If I wish to do sudoku or ken ken or words with friends, I must only do so at most for 30 min. Same with drawing. I believe sticking to a set time is not punishment but rather a way for me to learn to stick to things. I tend to disregard things and especially disregard time. I often run late, a habit I am not too proud of. Perhaps, holding myself accountable for a set time will benefit me in that regard. 

2. I used to enjoy yoga and pilates as well as running. I commit myself to find a way to incorporate these activities back into my life, starting this month. In regard to my diet, I eat pretty healthy though I do have a heavy sweet tooth. I crave sugar. While I did cease adding sugar to my tea and coffee a few years back, I would like to restrict myself to having sweets only on special occasions or in moderation. For instance, I enjoy caramel macchiato with extra caramel or hot chocolate with extra whipped cream or a cup of coffee with literally half of it filled with half and half. Perhaps, I can commit myself to enjoy one cup of caramel macchiato only once in a while.  I had my first cup this morning, justified it by telling myself it was the first day of the year. So no more for the remaining of the weak. In regard to coffee, I will attempt to cut back on my half and half consumption. Hot chocolate need to be a treat just as caramel macchiato. Realistically, I should be able to cut back my consumption, and only accord myself one of such treats, once a week as a very special treat. I would like to try to only have one once every two weeks to one a month. I really don't need all that extra sugar. 

3. I very much enjoy the ten minutes before bedtime cleaning up routine suggested by Mrs. Rubin. I have implemented it and really find it beneficial. Tonight for instance, I will clean up my bathroom (bleach it). I also make my bed every morning. In regard to a more substantial quest, I would like to keep my dogs' beds clean a bit more. I just bought them new ones two days ago, perhaps I could avoid giving them treats on them as to avoid getting crumbs or grease (depending on the treats). I also could spend 10 minutes once a week to vacuum their beds instead of once so often. 

4. I really need to stay on top of my mail. I will commit to spending 5-10 min each evening to go through my daily mail. And I must not wait the last possible minute to take my trash out. 

5. I will make a point to overcome my fear and avoidance of nagging tacks starting this month. 

6. I would like to consecrate 10 min a day to meditation using the app "Headspace"