Wedding Pic

Mid July I did some Macarons for Nicola and James' Wedding.  A lovely couple from Geelong who were married in the picture perfect town of Sorrento.  Time was spent picking colours and flavours and the final product was:

Pistachio & Orange Blossom
Mandarin
Raspberry
Salted Caramel
Honey & Coconut
Cassis (Blackcurrant)

According to Nicola the guests loved the Macarons but unfortunately they went so quickly that James and Nicola did not even get one themselves.  They are overseas for six months now but I will make sure that they get a couple when they get back.

Very kindly Nicola sent me a picture of the Macarons on the day.

I wish them all the best for their travels and their new life together.

Bridie

Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio - a visit to cake heaven!

During our recent stay at the RCH, we had some time to kill, actually a whole day of waiting to find out how Greta was going and we couldn't stay with her.  Anxious, Nervous, Grumpy, thinking too much - what to do - in true Quinn girl tradition lets eat cake!  So my sister and I took a drive to Chapel St and bought up big at Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio.

http://www.burchandpurchese.com.au/

Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio sells amazing cakes, desserts, chocolates and sweet treats.  Darren Purchese is the patisserie brain behind the shop, he is a world acclaimed pastry chef and for good reason.  Kate, the masterchef, went up against him in an immunity challenge on masterchef this year.  She did a pretty good job but couldn't quite pull off his amazing carmelised white chocolate mousse with banana, vanilla and passionfruit.

The shop is beautiful, it is just pretty as a picture and then the sweets - oh my god!!  We were in heaven!  See the pictures below.  If you are in the area it is well worth a visit.  Just a note though it is takeaway only, no sit down or coffee so be prepared, take your goodies home, get a great coffee on the way and then enjoy!  Also it is not cheap, but the ingredients are second to none and the time taken to make the creations is phenomenal so well worth the price.  Oh we also purchased jars of salted caramel, raspberry & Choc Hazelnut Spread.  Caramelised Cocoa Nibs and Blocks of Chocolate (all as gifts of course!)  There is an open kitchen in the shop so you can watch the pastry chefs work their magic.  The kitchen is whiz bang - I want one!!

The beautiful Store



Vanilla, Pistachio, Lemon & Green Tea

White chocolate & vanilla mousse / pistachio cream / crunchy green tea meringue / lemon cream / pistachio cake / green tea macaroon / brilliant white chocolate spray



Raspberry Meringue Cloud



Chocolate, Mandarin & Salted Caramel

Kendari 60% chocolate mousse | Murray River salted caramel | burnt mandarin cream | St Clements marmalade | aerated chocolate shortbread | chocolate mirror glaze



Packing up our goodies!

Rhubarb Jelly, Walnut Crumble, Bourbon Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, Carmelised apple,  Bourbon Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Spray & Caramelised Walnut

Winter Weekend Market this Saturday 6th August

We are all home safe and well!!

Greta's brain surgeries went really well and we've already seen some improvements.  Thanks to all for your well wishes and support.

I'm really looking forward to the market on Saturday.  It has been good to get back into the kitchen and have a bit of a play with flavours and textures.

The Macaron list for the market is pretty extensive and numbers of each flavour will be limited, get in early so you don't miss out!  Hopefully I can tempt you with these flavours:

Blood Orange
Lemon
Pistachio & Orange Blossom
Tiramisu
Raspberry
Salted Caramel
Rhubarb Crumble
Strawberry
Mandarin
Chocolate Hazelnut
Blackcurrant
Chocolate & Creme de Menthe

If I get the time I am also hoping to make some Chocarons.  Chocarons? you ask.  Macarons dipped in Couveture Belgium Chocolate - OMG!  I am thinking of White Chocolate & Green Tea and Dark Chocolate & Salted Caramel.

I also plan to have some lemon and passionfruit moments and some double choc & raspberry brownie.

Hope to see you there.
Enjoy!
Bridie

Port Fairy Winter Weekend 5-7 Aug

The August Winter Weekend Festival in Port Fairy is sure to be a great one.  Taste the Flavours of Port Fairy, a celebration of food and wine.

If all is going well with my daughter's surgeries I plan to be at the Port Fairy Market on Saturday 6th August.  I have been working on a few special macarons for this weekend so stay tuned....

Enjoy!
Bridie

On Leave

As some of you are already aware the time has finally come for Greta, my 2yo daughter, to have her brain surgeries at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.  We are nervous, relieved and optimistic all at the same time.  Greta is being treated by the best medical team we could have hoped for so we know all will go well!

But as a result I will not be available from 18th July to the 7th August.  Please feel free to email me during that time, but it may take a little while to get a response.

Thanks for your understanding,
Bridie

Stockist Updates

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let everybody know that there has been a small change in Macaron stockists.

Pronto Fine Food Merchants
Pronto have moved into a new bigger store.  Still in the Safeway complex but on the highway side.  There new premises looks fantastic, Sally & Ted have done a great job.  All of your old favourites are available as well as some new lines, this includes Macarons with two new flavours being added to the list - Lemon and Tiramisu.  You can also purchase my Brownies and Blondies there.  Make sure you have some time up your sleeve when you visit next to check out all that is on offer.

The Merrijig Kitchen
Liz & Tanya from the Stag have also moved, to the Merrijig Inn.  Macarons are being served on the menu at the Merrijig Kitchen.  Michael and I went there for dinner a few weekends ago and it was really lovely.  The dining room has an cosy intimate feel and the food was fabulous and highly recommended.  Thanks to all for looking after us so well.

Enjoy!
Bridie

Next Market May 28th

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let everybody know that my next Port Fairy Market will be Saturday May 28th.  I won't be at the Farmers Market tomorrow as I will be in Barwon Heads at Annies organising a couple of new lines.  My apologies for not being there last week but water and macarons really don't mix so if it is looking like rain I will most likely not go.

If you were hoping to catch me this weekend I do have some Macarons in stock so just give me a buzz or text 0408 276 570.

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while.  I'll make some time next week.  Michael and I did a mini macaron tour of Melbourne over Easter so I'll let you know the places to go.   I also have a couple of yummy recipes for this chilly weather to post so stay tuned.

Oh I almost forgot, if you like the passionfruit and the lemon melting moments you can now get them in packs of 6 at Pronto.

Enjoy!
Bridie