French Macaroons! A 21st Birthday Surprise!

So, about two weeks ago, my beautiful girlfriend Maria turned 21 and for about four days, I wondered what I would make to surprise her. I decided that since she was in Paris for six weeks studying abroad this summer, I would try to rekindle some of those memories for her.  Ultimately, I decided on French Macaroons - a delicious, wonderful, tasty, and savory treat. There are an endless number of fillings you can use to make them. The recipes, provided, however include just one for chocolate ganache, but if you want more, I will be more than happy to give you them!

Ingredients
For the Macaroons,
¾ cup of Almond Flour (you can grind up almonds in a food processor, or just use regular flour with some amaretto liquor (secretly what I like to do because what college student doesn't like some form of liquor, let's be serious)
1 cup of Confectioner Sugar
2 Large Egg Whites
½ tsp of Salt
¼ tsp of Cream of Tartar
3 Tbsp of Sugar
Food Coloring (red, blue, green, any color you desire)


For the Ganache
4 ounces of Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/3 cup of Heavy Cream
1 tsp of Butter, softened at room temperature
1/8 tsp of Salt


Process,
To make the macaroons,
1) Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2) In a large bowl, sift together the confectioner sugar, and almond flour. Stir to combine.
3) Beat the egg whites, salt and cream of tartar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until they hold soft peaks. Increase speed to high and slowly add the sugar, continue to beat until the whites hold a stiff peak and they are glossy.
4) Using a spatula fold the sifted almond flour and confectioner sugar mixture into the egg whites mixture. Do not worry because the egg whites will deflate a little.
5) Spoon the batter into either a piping bag or in a resalable zip lock bag. Snip off one corner of plastic bag to create a ¼ inch opening.
NOTE: if you would like different colored Macaroons like the ones I made above, just split the batter into a variety of different bags and add a few drops of food coloring, mix until the cover is even, and continue on!
6) Pipe little mounds the size of a chocolate kiss on the parchment line baking sheets, about 1 ½ inches apart. Let the cookies stand uncovered for 30 minutes.
7) Meanwhile, position the oven racks in upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
8) Bake cookies for 20 to 25 minutes or until crisp and the edges are slightly darker. Make sure to rotate the baking sheets half way thru the baking time so they cook evenly.


To make the chocolate ganache,
9) Heat the cream in a small pan over medium heat until just below boiling point.
10) Pour cream over chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute. Add the softened butter and  whisk the whole thing together until the chocolate has fully melted. Let it sit for a few minutes before assembling the macaroons.
11) To assemble the macaroons, carefully peel cookies from parchment, be very careful because they will be very fragile. Sandwich together with ½ tsp of the ganache between the flat sides of the cookies.
Keep in airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.

Now, whatever you do, DO NOT SKIMP ON THE RECIPE. USE EVERY INGREDIENT ASKED FOR. I tried to circumnavigate the recipe, against my mom's direct orders, and I failed....four times. SO, I hope you enjoy and remember: Mangia Bene!