I've never been too sure about Rachel Allen. I've seen her a few times on Saturday Kitchen and somehow she's just not done it for me. Since visiting Istanbul some years back, one thing I have been sure of is that I very much like Coconut Macaroons. They definately rank in my top 5 sweet treats (alongside a fluffy Victoria Sponge, a Greggs Apple turnover and a Tunnocks Caramel Wafer).
Here's the recipe, for once I followed the recipe exactly. Although I was very unsure when it said to 'lightly beat' the egg whites. It then came time to make these into balls. This was pretty tricky. The mixture seemed pretty dry. Rachel Allen says to press the balls down with a damp fork. I tried, but every time I did the my balls broke. Ooo-er.
So, I left my balls un-pressed. I'd doubled up the quantities and this was enough for 26 one -inch round Macaroons; which were a biggish mouthful. Suited perfectly to my biggish mouth. The recipe says to cook for 10-12 minutes. After 10 minutes they still looked pretty much the same as when they'd gone in - after 14 they looked nicely lightly toasted.
I was pretty pleased with the way these looked when they came out. They were nice and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
When eaten on this first day, they were really pretty good - although not as moist as the very best ones I've had.. By day three though, they were pretty dry. Somehow, I need to find a way to make these more moist.
Ooh I love a coconut macaroon and they look pretty good ones, sorry they weren't as moist as you hoped. Bet they were still nice though. I haven't had a tunnock's caramel in a few years.
ReplyDeleteI actually really lik them unpressed... I might even go as far as to say i prefer them. They look more fun- kind of like a chinese sweet! x
ReplyDeleteHi Alan, as a dedicated fan of all things coconut (esp macaroons) I reckon you can't go past David Lebowitz's recipe (which you'll find by googling his name and 'coconut macaroons'!These look pretty good though!
ReplyDeleteOh I do I do I do like coconut macaroons and haven't made any for years. these look very swish as such dainty little morsels. Mine used to be big and clumpy - never dry though, maybe that's the problem and they are too small?
ReplyDelete4 comments, happy days, thanks all!
ReplyDeleteLou: you sound like an expert knowing the difference between pressed and unpressed. I might try next time, just to see if I can tell too.
KitchenMaid: I'll definately have a go with David Lebowitz's recipe next time, I reckon there's room for improvement on this batch. After eating most of these, I might give it a little while before my next experiment with them.
Choc: I'd say these were a good size. And.... you can always have two.
Kath: go on treat yourself to a little Tunnocks lovelyness.
Thanks all again, X
LOVE coconut macaroons... I like huge chunky ones (but that's another blog for another time...ooh er missus!)
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