Thursday, July 17, 2008

A day at work


Vanilla bean, hibiscus and black sesame French macaroons by Macarune


These were ordered for a Milestones celebration party at work yesterday. Because two of my coworkers are getting married and another one is having an August baby, I got to be involved with party-planning via Macarune. Fun and profitable -- just how I like it!

I spent the weekend baking/decorating these goodies and couldn't have been more proud when the tray emptied within a few hours. The vanilla bean ones are merely cute with little red hearts symbolizing the unions of those getting married. Apologies in advance for the cheesiness.

The hibiscus ones are this season's favorite with semi-crunchy bits of hibiscus petals soaked in Persian rose tea, surprising you with every bite. It's floral, girly, and possibly the macaroon I would say is the most characteristic of my own personality. Yes. If I were a macaroon, I'd be the Macarune hibiscus macaroon. Which macaroon are you? Quiz to come :)

And the black sesame ones are my coworkers' favorite with a tasty Asian flavor if you're a fan of these healthy delectable seeds. As I am, shamelessly so, I have to resist licking the batter from the bowl every time I bake these. Mmm...

It dawned on me this past weekend how little time I spend promoting Macarune. Sure I have these posts on my blog, this Facebook page, this Flickr album, and this KQED Bay Area Bite blog interview article. Even so, quite a number of Macarune customers come from referrals and this Chowhound thread - not my own doing. Perhaps when I have the time, you'll see a little more. Fingers crossed.

Following the party, I received a 20-minute massage courtesy of the agency. I think 20-minute massages are merely a tease. It's like taking a guy to a strip club -- there's no substance whatsoever! Therefore, I'm making a booking for a full 90-minute one at Teashi this weekend. After all, a girl has to spoil herself and not to mention prep for a very-important-someone's return ;)

11 comments:

Veron said...

Such lovely macarons!! I don't know what macaron I'd be...I'll probably be torn between the pistachio and boring vanilla. But I'm starting to gravitate toward passion fruit. :) .

Anonymous said...

I'm a chocolate macaron with green tea filling!

Danielle Bumblebee said...

veron: thanks veron! i noticed u were on a break from baking.. hope u get a nice long rest.. i sure know how it feels to be baking 24/7.. as fun as it sounds, it's pretty damn tiring.. p/s: sometimes we're all a little vanilla inside :)

sue: sweet!

Anonymous said...

Hello,
Always loved seeing your colourful macaroons on display! Gorgeous! May I ask how do you make the circles so uniform - do you draw circles o on paper each time?

Danielle Bumblebee said...

jenny: it's really all practice, practice and practice :)

Anonymous said...

I have just experience my first baking attempt at Matcha and Raspberry.... how many flavors have you dabbled in?

Danielle Bumblebee said...

girl japan: i have about approx 20 flavors on my menu now.. n they vary according to season.. i saw urs on ur blog n they're pretty.. good luck on ur mac-baking endeavors!

Anonymous said...

20 Flavors- goodness, I don't even know if I can recreate what I did- if you had once choice which flavor would you choose?

Danielle Bumblebee said...

girl japan: i'm not sure what u mean by which flavors would i choose. do u mean to bake or to eat? both will have different answers. i love making classic flavors well (e.g. vanilla bean, pistachio, rose, etc.). but when it comes to eating, macarune's hibiscus french macs are by far my FAVORITE. hope this answers your ques!

Anonymous said...

goodness that was an ambiguous question.. Baking for me.. and a macaron (I'm limited- have not dabbled or am TOO afraid to try other flavors/tastes just yet).

I was wondering what was your favorite to eat? But you answered it = ) hehe

I wonder if they bakers are using the tea leaves for flavor in the Hibisus macaron'? I am just smitten with the myriad flavors esp the Matcha = )

Danielle Bumblebee said...

girl japan: personally, i dont use hibiscus tea to make the hibiscus french macaroons, but rather hibiscus petals soaked in persian rose tea :) it's a lil' difficult, but is super yummy in the end!