I have to admit that, despite having lived in France for a while, having studied and taught French for many years and being a fan of most things French, the Parisian macaron somehow passed me by until very recently. I remember coconut macaroons, pyramid- shaped and overly-sweet, that along with flapjacks, caramel slices and chocolate crispy cakes were the tea time treats of my childhood, but the delicious, delicate and delightfully pretty almond sort are a new found pleasure. What started out as a cursory, motherly interest in my daughter’s culinary endeavours, has spiralled into a passion, – some may say, an obsession – and I find myself on a quest to create the perfect macaron!

Everyone needs a challenge and, for now, this is mine!