Ciao! Apr/May 2016 Digital Issue | Page 29

ciao! cooks French Macarons Dark chocolate ganache offsets sweet macaron cookies INGREDIENTS French Macaron Shells 2/3 cup almond flour 1 cup icing sugar 3 egg whites (room temperature) food colouring Dark Chocolate Ganache 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate 2 cups heavy cream 1/4 cup icing sugar 1/8 tsp salt Betty Lai and Douglas Krahn Chocolate Zen Bakery DESIGN INSPIRATION Betty Lai and Douglas Krahn of Chocolate Zen Bakery have been creating edible art for over 20 years. The rose, a symbol of love and beauty, was the source of inspiration for their creations. Layering light and dark colours on top of the design helps accent the flowers' shape. These colourful confections are best consumed the next day to ensure flavours meld with the shell. METHOD French Macaron Shells 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Sift almond flour and icing sugar together. 2. Place egg whites into mixer and mix on high until foam forms. Slowly add sugar and mix until thick and glossy. 3. Fold almond mixture into egg whites in three stages. Add food colouring until desired colour is reached. 4. Once mixture ribbons off spatula, transfer into piping bag fitted with 1/4" circle tip. 5. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Pipe 1/4" circles, tapping pan on surface to get rid of extra air. Bake for 12 min. Dark Chocolate Ganache 1. Melt chocolate in microwavable bowl. 2. In a saucepan on high, combine heavy cream, icing sugar and salt and bring to boil. Add chocolate and let sit for 1 min, then whisk until smooth. 3. Refrigerate for approx. 1 hour. 4. Transfer into piping bag with round or star tip. Pipe onto shell making sure not to overfill. Top with another shell. 5. Use food colouring and food safe brush to decorate. Piping chocolate ganache in the center of the shell ensures it extends to the edge when sandwiched. Yield 28 macarons ciao! / apr/may / two thousand sixteen 27