Once I figured out the less hot part of the oven, the next round went better. Then there was the consequent issue of where exactly in the house to photograph them. Still learning where the best light is.
No one who has a country house has a right to complain about anything. Seriously. So I’ll just move on to one of my favorite subjects…avocados.
I can’t get enough of them lately. Slathered on a piece of dark German million grain bread then drizzled with a bit of olive oil with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. At 75 cents a piece in the market recently I over bought and had to find more uses for them.
A quick search revealed Alton Brown’s Avocado Buttercream recipe , the wheels started turning and I was off to the macaron races.
I went with mini sized shells in case the filling flavor did not work but this unusual buttercream with it’s smooth avocado flavor was the perfect complement to the crunchy, chewy chocolate shells.
I used the Tartelette’s basic recipe. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
- 90 grams of egg whites – aged at least 2 days. Let them sit out on the counter uncovered.
- 25-50 grams of fine granulated sugar
- 200 grams of powdered sugar (minus 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 110 Grams of almond flour*
- Sift the powdered sugar and almond flour together or pulse them together briefly in a food processor. Make sure there are no large pieces.
- Remove 2 tablespoons of the mixture, discard and replace with the cocoa powder. Set aside.
- Whip the egg whites. When they start to get foamy, slowly add the sugar. Continue whipping until you can turn the bowl upside down and nothing slides out. (I also add a pinch each of salt and cream of tartar)
- Add the powdered sugar/almond/cocoa mixture to the egg white mixture and fold, using quick strokes at first then slow down. No more than 50 strokes all together. The batter should have a “flowing like lava” consistency.
- Fill a Pastry bag and pipe small circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a Silpat.
- Let the macarons dry until they harden a bit.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F
- Bake for 18-20 minutes.
- I keep the oven door propped open with a dish towel or wooden spoon. Try to refrain from obsessive peeping to see if they get feet.
- Let cool completely and then match up the shells into pairs according to size and pipe in the filling.
For the Avocado Chocolate Chip Buttercream:
I halved the amount of Alton Brown’s Recipe and mixed in 3/4 cup of cute mini chocolate chips.
13 comments
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I agree, no one in the country has a right to complain about anything! We are lucky folk. Having said that, I'm jealous you got avocados for 75 cents each!! Sorry your first batch of macs met with a cranky oven but those that made it to the photo shoot look amazing. Can always count on you to come up with a unique filling.
Well I've been wanting to try some avocado/chocolate mix- I was thinking a raw cake but this is indeed intriguing as Jamie said. Did the avocado filling firm up without butter? And how would that be if you added a little butter? hmmm… very interesting.
Oh my these macs look stupendous! Courageous you for starting over until they were perfect! The shells look prefect and scrumptious and beautiful with the green of the filling. And avocado buttercream? I am intrigued!
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One day I threaten to make macarons. One day in my not country house. 🙂
You are invited to mine 🙂
Avocado buttercream! I totally would never have thought of that. Paul's got an avocado tree that he's been tending for the last couple of years or so (it evidently takes at least three years before they fruit). Hopefully at some point we'll have more avocados than we know what to do with because we both love love love them.
Don't you love how every oven has a distinct personality?
When I lived in La I used to fight the squirrels for the avocados fro the tree in my yard. Tell Paul to prepare for battle when they arrive.
Ok Missy. I love avocados but would never have thought of combining them with chocolate. I have to say, this sounds pretty tasty!
As always beautiful pics, and you'll figure out the country light situation one weekend at a time 🙂
Off to the macaron races – love it, Lora; and always adore your creativity even getting around oven characters. Chocolate and avocado? Pourquoi pas? Fabulous!
Thanks Jill. That is a supreme compliment coming from a Maconista like you.
Avocado! I bet the texture is delightful.