It's Independence Day here in Malaysia, otherwise known as Hari Merdeka. Did I feel patriotic today? Not exactly. Today, the first in a long time, I didn't even manage to catch the Merdeka Day parade on television, but that's another story.
Instead, I took a journey to the beautiful city of Isfahan, via some macarons of course.
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| Fly me away to Isfahan... |
Ever since I discovered Pierre Herme and macarons, I've always wondered what the buzz was about his Ispahans. The name itself was suitably exotic and inspiring. Rose-flavoured macaron shells, with lychee buttercream and a raspberry gelee centre. The heady perfume and flavours of the east in a macaron.
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| All the amateur photography prep made me hungry |
I assume here that Pierre got his inspiration for the Ispahan from the grand old city of Isfahan. So, I did a little research on the city itself. I found
this source a good and easy read sprinkled with some beautiful photos. I'm inspired to visit Isfahan some day. In the meantime, I'll just have to settle for a taste... or two.
There is a recipe for Pierre Herme's Ispahan macarons
here. This is the closest recipe I could find on the Internet for what they are reputed to be. I never had a chance to try them while in Paris earlier this year, so I can't vouch for its authenticity. Plus, I'm a home-cook and the recipe looks like it's meant to be made in a professional kitchen and feed an army of macaron-lovers. Scale it down? Can't be bothered.
So, what did I do? I made rose-flavoured shells in a baby pink. Mixed some lychee-flavoured buttercream and used my favourite raspberry jam in the centre.
How did they turn out? Mmmmmmm... pretty good for Ispahans on a budget!
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| Lychee buttercream on rose macaron shells |
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| Raspberry surprise |
