Matcha Macarons with Passionfruit Curd

Matcha Macarons with Passionfruit Curd (0005) by MeetaK   

I hope for you, you went out and bought yourselves a few passionfruit and made some passionfruit curd after my last post. I did say in that post that I would share how I enjoyed eating the passionfruit curd best. Well here it is!

I think I was grinning like the Cheshire cat while I was stirring the passionfruit curd. See I already knew then that I would be using some of it in a new macaron creation.

It’s spring and I am in a celebration mood. Celebrating spring to it’s fullest. We are having a bit of a set back on the weather front, as the temperatures dropped again this week but the tell-tale signs are all around me.

Green and yellow embodies spring in perfect harmony. And I see the gorgeous sunny yellow of narcissus flowers and the deep velvety green of the fresh fields and pastures all around me.

Narcissus (0077) by MeetaK 

It was these luscious surroundings that inspired me for these macarons. Good Friday and I had just spent the week alone. I lavished in the free time I was having. Soeren was spending part of his Easter break with grandparents and Tom was still in Vienna, which meant playing by my rules and on my time. I ate when I felt like it, played with no restraints and kind of let myself go a little. Boy did it feel good!

Good Friday was the last day to indulge in this placid leisure before my men came home the next day. Luckily the weather was picture-book perfect and a bright sun was shinning in a clear blue sky. After enjoying a long breakfast, with my feet up and a glossy magazine, I tanked some of the sun in our back yard doing some yoga. The sun salutation seemed like the perfect way to show my gratitude for this gorgeous day.

A few egg whites resting on the kitchen countertop beckoned me and I was torn between relaxing in the back yard or spending time baking in the kitchen. It was the kitchen that won and with all the windows open, Shakira’s Good Stuff shaking my hips I went to work on making my macarons.

Spring 2010-Diptych by MeetaK

I felt good. The macarons had feet and the filling was already awaiting in the refrigerator to be spread on the shells. It was time to catch some afternoon sun though, after packing my camera equipment and my iPod I hit the parks and the city of Weimar. It was a perfect day in Weimar.

 Matcha Macarons with Passionfruit Curd (0007) by MeetaK

Matcha was the perfect partner for my passionfruit curd. It’s complex, subtle and slightly bitter taste paired in harmony with the sweet and slightly tangy passionfruit curd. Green and yellow – a celebration of the vivid colors of Spring.

As it was Easter weekend I could not help but think that the shades of green and yellow fitted in so perfectly into my Easter decorations around the house.

 Matcha Macarons with Passionfruit Curd (0081) by MeetaK

Both Deeba and Jamie wanted us to get inspired by a holiday in April for this session Mactweets. I got inspired by the colors of nature and Easter and present you Meeta’s Magnificent Matcha Macarons with passionfruit curd. 

Note: If you are making macarons for the first time please read my comprehensive collection of macaron tips. All the way from the prep work to removing macarons from the baking paper, you’ll find valuable tips and tricks for perfect macaron making.

Matcha Macarons with Passionfruit Curd

Printable version of recipe here

Ingredients

For the macaron shells

Recipe for macaron shells adapted from Ottolenghi - The Cookbook

110g icing sugar
60g almonds, very finely ground
60g egg whites, (about 2 eggs) aged for either 5 days in the fridge, then for 24 hours at room temperature or a little over 24 hours on the countertop
40g castor sugar
1-2 teaspoons matcha powder
a few drops of green food coloring

For the filling

a jar of this homemade passionfruit curd 

Method

    For the macaron shells

  1. Prepare your baking tray and baking sheets with a stencil of circles. Draw circles on some baking paper using a (mathematical) compass about 2 cm in diameter. Then place some white parchment paper on the baking tray and flip the baking paper back around. Or use this macaron template.

  2. In a large mixing bowl mix the egg whites with an electric hand beater (alternatively you can use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment) until it is thick and frothy. Gradually add the granulated sugar, whisking all the while, until the mixture turns into a thick glossy meringue. The consistency of the macaron batter should be similar to hair mousse or shaving foam. Make sure the meringue is not over-beaten or else it will be too dry.

  3. In a food processor pulse together icing sugar and almonds until the nuts are finely ground and powdery. Add the matcha powder and sift the mixture 2 or 3 times to make sure there are no lumps.

  4. Place the dry ingredients into a bowl. Add the meringue in three portions, giving it a quick fold using the macronnage technique described in my macaron tips section. Add a few drops of green food coloring to get the desired color tone. Fold the mixture a few times to break the air. Continue until you get a smooth and supple mixture, thick in consistency so that when you lift the spatula it flows back in thick ribbons. Test a small amount on a plate – should the tops fall back and flatten by themselves then it is ready, if not give it a few more folds. 

  5. Fill a piping bag with a plain tip with the batter and pipe small rounds (2 cm in diameter) on your prepared baking paper. Leave the macarons to rest and dry for about 15 to 30 minutes.

  6. In the meantime preheat the the oven to 150 degrees C. When the macarons are ready bake the shells for 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Use a flat offset spatula to gently remove the shells from the baking paper and allow to cool further on a rack.

Assembling the macarons

Using two spoons place dollops of the passionfruit curd on one of the shells and gently cover with another shell. Do not press. Continue to do this until you have used up all of the filling and shells.

Storing Macarons
If you are not going to be using them right away you can store the shells in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

They freeze well too but it is recommended to freeze them unfilled. To fill them take the shells out of the freezer 48 hours prior to serving and without defrosting fill them. This way the flavors will be allowed to blend as they thaw.

Macarons taste best the next day. Prepare and fill them, then keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. This allows the flavors to intermingle with each other. Enjoy them at room temperature the next day.

 


Verdict

Matcha Macarons with Passionfruit Curd (0003) by MeetaK  

There is that incredible subtle and alluring taste that matcha has that makes one go “wow!” with these macarons, the passionfruit explosion comes afterwards and finally when both flavors are intermingled there is remarkable essence of pure lust. A lust for more – more macarons, more greens and yellows, more fruity, tangy flavors and more of Spring.

Extra Extra

I’ve got a couple of pretty neat news to share with you all.

image For starters – I seem to have gotten myself on another top 50 list. The people over at Babble.com, a website dedicated to “a new generation of moms” have put a list of the Top 50 Best Mom Food Bloggers and What’s For Lunch, Honey? is on that list as part of the category Best Photography. A special one because my mommy role is recognized along with my passion for photography. A huge thanks to all those who are giving me their thumbs up!

On the subject of photography, a few days ago the brilliant Neel of Learn Food Photography and Styling interviewed me and asked me to discuss how I came to food photography and styling, my inspiration and I share a few tips and tricks. Part 1 of the interview has been published and in this I talk about how I became so passionate about this topic. Come over and read it and tell me what you think.

image

Finally while we are talking food photography, hope you’re going to be coming to London this June. 51 days to go for the Food Blogger Connect and there you’ll have the opportunity to catch Mowie of Mowielicious, Béa from La Tartine Gourmande and myself team up in an intensive Food Photography and Styling workshop.

More magnificent macarons from WFLH:

Black Sesame and Nutella Macarons Saffron Macarons with Cardamom White Chocolate Ganache Rosewater and Raspberry Macarons

 


All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2010 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First

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52 comments:

  1. Such a stunning macarons, wat a fabulous curd, love it..

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  2. Beutiful colors, beutiful lights! I love the atmosphere of this pictures!

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  3. I've read all of your post without breathing from beginning to the end, I'll go to bed with a sweet taste on my tongue. I must try to do macarons again, maybe for the next Mactweet!
    Good night and grat news about you!!

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  4. Love your combi and I simply love matcha macs. Made one with white choc ganache for mactweets. Deliciously good.

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  5. A terrific combination! Those spring shots are amazing!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  6. How wonderful! Congratulations on babble top 50!

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  7. you have awoken my passion for passion fruits! how could i forget...

    http://cheesy-mash.blogspot.com

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  8. Putting the amazing curd to good use with one of my favourite ingredients of all time! GORGEOUS. what a winner of a macaron. i still have yet to make the curd. can't wait. I just used up my lemon curd so i've got a jar free ready to be sterilized. x

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  9. I'm so glad you had that time alone to rest and restore in body and spirit. :-) Your walk through the parks sounds just lovely! I walked today too, basking in the first "really feels like spring" day. :-) Beautiful macarons, as always, Meeta. I'm SO glad your hard work is being recognized and celebrated. :-)

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  10. Mmmm, that looks delicious! I have never made macarons but I'm very, very tempted to, and soon!

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  11. The macarons are stunning, but it's the flowers that are really brightening my day! Thanks for sharing them.

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  12. Ah!! they are so vibrantly Spring-y!!! :)) Btw, who are the models behind the scenes??

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  13. I have made some passion fruit curd recently and totally agree with you the combo with matcha is fabulous! As always, your photos and creations are first rate!

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  14. lovely macarons! I love the matcha and passionfruit curd combo..sounds fabulous!

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  15. You and macarons....are perfect partners.....Beautiful work!!

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  16. WOW PERFECT MACAROONS! THE FLAVOUR MUST BE AWESOME. I VE NEVER MADE PERFECT MACARONS SO FAR :(

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  17. Passionfruit and matcha, what a unique combination! I'd say it's very Sadaharu-esque ;)

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  18. i love these photos here, just stunning. but what i really love ... is picturing that grin on your face while stirring your passionfruit curd and then you bouncing around weimar in the sun and shaking those hips of yours in the kitchen - totally ! love it ! :)

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  19. They're lovely. Great flavour combination.
    Do you think Shakira helped in some way? Maybe I should try that! LOL

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  20. What a pretty basket, they look great. I must get my mitts on some matcha, I'm dying to cook with it.

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  21. Next time I make macs I'm gonna have Shakira belting out numbers in the background dahlin'!! Somethings gotta give!! These are absolutely fabulous, and I love the flavour combination! Bee-yoo-ti-ful pictures too as always Meeta!

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  22. Beautiful Macs, i can imagine you walking around with your macs in Wiemar. If the ppl knew what was inside the pack I am sure they would have fought for it.
    Looks beautiful.

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  23. Thank you all for your comments and feedback! I really loved this combination - they were slightly grown up and a very feminine! i can imagine these at a girlie evening with lots of giggles, talk and drinks.

    Juls - breathe breathe! Thanks for such a cute comment!

    Kerrin - trust me in the kitchen i am not only shaking the whisk!! I think we'd have a party if we ever got together!

    Mark - now that is something I never thought of the macarons being - Sadahru-esque!

    Deeba - Shakira rocks my world and makes me shake my hips like no one else. I am sure she'd give you happy dancing feet in the kitchen too!

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  24. @diva - go and make that passionfruit curd. you'll love me for it!! then make these you'll worship me for it. LOL! just kidding. wish we could make these together!

    @RT thanks - you are really sweet.

    @Lydia I'd much rather give you a bunch in person you know + a hug!

    @Asha My model is my lovely neighbor. I call her my supermodel and we have too much fun at these photoshoots! her husband is a wild one too so it usually takes a little longer to get the pictures as we are laughing so hard that most of them turn out blurry!

    Joumana - Thanks so much!

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  25. I should have guessed when I saw the passion fruit curd! But this flavor combo is wonderful! And the colors are very springlike. Beautiful macs! And I love that alone time and I think you spent yours wisely! And can't wait to see you at FBC in London!

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  26. These are just beautiful... perfect! And your photography is sublime. I am new to food blogging and your site is very inspiring. your macaroon guide is great and highlights all those critical details required to make good macs.

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  27. I've never had passionfruit - I've been missing out!

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  28. Gorgeous colours and combination Meeta. And congrats on making the Top 50 list, yay! Enjoy the spring.

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  29. I'm applauding you right now.

    bittersweetsugarandsarcasm.blogspot.com

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  30. Meeta, not only I love the combination of flavors - I do love anything passionfruit - but also am taken by how pretty the colors are together!
    Beautiful macarons, darling!

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  31. Its been awhile i wanna say hullo to the to the gorgeous Meeta and here i am doing it!!!
    First met u at monthly mingle with my Ommey,when i'd jus begun blogging and am here again,though had never planned to be away 4all these months, for the last hour or so ,am taking a walk of spring thru all these wonderful posts i have missed and where was i i ask myself?
    Ur photography aint only stunning but absolutely beautifully gorgeously stunning.....
    Ur styling rocks and so do all ur bakes....
    cheers to u ,keep rocking thru the Bursting with spring blossoms of Happy Sunshine...i sure will join u ,every so often ,for those nutella swirls and vanilla milk and mind u ,it jus might be u running after me this time ,before that nutella jar is licked clean:-)))))
    have a super Sparkling twinkling day!!!!

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  32. They look lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. So that's where the passionfruit curd went!

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  33. Wow. Thanks for sharing this recipe! My kids love macaroons and I love them too. So this recipe won't take long to be made here in my kitchen. LOL

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  34. I love passionfruit curd! Not only for it's beautiful colour, but that perfect blend of acidity and sweetness. The macarons by the way, look PERFECT.

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  35. Hey Meeta,
    Your macarons are gorgeous! I was wondering what you do with all your extra egg yolks?

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  36. So many bloggers are making macarons, wonder if there is something I'm missing, I've never made them, but need to. I also wish that passion fruit was more readily available where I live, I've only had it once or twice.

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  37. One word Meeta: GORGEOUS! Absolutely stunning! Love the macarons, the flowers and the whole spring vibe of your post!

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  38. Meeta, that looks absolutely delicious! Your photos are great too!

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  39. What a great combination. The macaron and passionfruit must taste wonderful together. Thanks for the great recipe.

    jessyburke88@gmail.com

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  40. Congrats on coming in the top 50! The macaroons look wonderful!

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  41. your blog is very informative...
    nice to know you meetha :)


    Ps.i love your picture also..they are amazing

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  42. congrats on d top list....lov ur macarons..n fab curds..frst time...lov ur space ..will keep visiitng

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  43. thank you all so much for all your comments - glad you are liking this spring version of the macarons and the Spring feeling in this post!

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  44. Ahh so pretty! The fact that my diet doesn't allow me to eat eggs will not stop me gawking at these gorgeous pictures, and just imagining the amazing flavours. These passionfruit curd macarons epitomise Spring!

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  45. Mmmm, I can almost taste those tangy macarons - and you are right, they are the perfect colours of Spring!

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  46. These are gorgeous Meeta! You deserve all the adulation you get. Well done! Can't wait to hear you speak at FBC and learn all about your photograhpy. How about some macaron lessons too!

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  47. I have been read couple of cookie recipe from different blogs..Seems cookie is coming back...

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  48. i love the shots..they definitely brightened up my day...the flowers and the macaroons looks so nice

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  49. I love everything passionfruit, so I could eat a looot of your macarons !!

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  50. You amaze me with the constant variations on macarons, perfect each time.

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Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hugs
Meeta