Baking Recipe: Limone Italian Buttercream Macarons & TGIF

When life hands you lemons.. what do you do with them? The first thing that comes to mine is making yummy treats. Limone or Lemon is the same. I thought I have some fun with words today. I'm attempting to make my treats sound a little more decadent and sexy.. Not sure if sexy implies here, but I was just imagining this ultra sultry lady saying "Limone.. limone, ti piacerebbe comprare dei limoni?" or "Lemon..lemon, would you like to buy some lemons?" Forgive my nuttiness, as I was feeling a little Italiano today or for that tiny moment.

While I was in Singapore visiting friends, I watched this movie called "Life is Beautiful", where the entire movie was in Italian but dubbed in English for non Italian speakers like myself . "Life is Beautiful" is a story of a Jewish Italian during WWII days. If life now is cruel, can you imagine that era? What I love about the movie is, despite having the hardship, and taken away from his wife, Guido Orefice played by Roberto Benigni, somehow manage to see a bright side to everything. He would always greet the love of his life "Boungiorno Principessa" and explained everything to his son that they are in a game, in order to not scare his little boy. Naturally I cried slightly, and the movie does change my perspective in life.

This is such a meaningful movie, and does remind me on how fortunate we are. Despite us having luxury or comfort in this hectic life, we tend to forget the tiny little beautiful things that life around us has to offer. It can be as simple as breakfast in bed, having a conversation with a good friend abroad or someone walks pass and greets you with a smile. As much we like to climb the ladder to achieve our career goals, it's always good to take a step back and enjoy the little things [like these mini french macarons] along the way. It is still an accomplishment and we should try as hell to not forget them. Having said that, I am proud to say I am really happy with my very first batch of French Macarons, and these shells baked are as close to La Duree's style. Not overly crunchy, just right, and squidgy in the middle.

For Limone Italian Buttercream, click here. As for the macaron shells, I highly recommend that you stick to your own tested full proof recipe. As for me, I used the Italian Meringue method for my macarons, and it's a matter of preference. I prefer to cook the egg whites by whisking in the boiled sugar. I made a few flavours for my macs and 2 types of shell. The coral blush coloured mac shells are made with ground almond and the pastel burgundy wine is  made with ground hazelnuts. As for flavours, there were strawberry, limone, hazelnut buttercream and dark chocolate ganache.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead, and maybe it's time to learn to not be bothered by the petty things in life, and look at life in a broader spectrum and a greater heart.

P/S: I can't wait to bake more macarons. This can now be ticked off my bucket list as I have overcome my fear of making them.

xx