Foodie Friday: Cream Puffs, Crepes, and Croquembouche

First Friday of the month: Pastries / Baking Class

I started baking when I was in elementary. I can't recall what I made first, but I remember buying a box of brownie mix and tried to bake it as instructed in the box. Then, I moved on oatmeal cookies until I learned more about cooking and baking during high school practical arts and home eco classes. Last month, I was able to attend a private baking class by Chef Christa Mendiola where she taught how to make one of my favorite pastries ever -- the cream puff!

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Foodie Friday: Dreaming of Duck & Buvette's Duck Confit

First Friday of the month:  Food Finds / Dining

I can't believe I haven't written about any of my gastronomic adventures for over a year! If you've been a regular here on the blog, you know I share simple recipes almost every month. But I'm a foodie at heart and so you'll often see most of what I'm eating over at my Instagram and other social network sites instead. I realized I'm just not so fond of featuring dining establishments. You'll get plenty of that from many food bloggers around. From time to time, there are a few stand-out meals that I just can't get out of my mind, even weeks after I've digested them! This particular Duck Confit is one of those very memorable dishes that I'd gladly make space for in this blog.

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Petit Bateau Sails to the Philippines

If you love stripes and basic tees like I do, then you'll be smitten with Petit Bateau. The 120-year old clothing brand from Troyes, France has now expanded in the country and I was fortunate to view their latest collections at a nautical inspired fashion show which kicked off the brand's launch at SM Aura Premier last weekend.

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{Macaron} Love at First Bite

Sugar and spice and everything...French!

That's how I would describe my sweet afternoon delight.

My Instagram screen capture

It was really love at first bite with Alchemy macarons!  I can't stop thinking about it and kept looking at my Instagram photo since this afternoon.  I knew I had to blog about this -- it can't wait for my Foodie Friday post anymore.

Anyway, I was at a "sparty" today (more about the party on my Fun Friday post this week) and Paola brought these scrumptious French confection.  These were served as dessert, aside from my no-bake blueberry cheesecake. Instantly, these macarons made a wonderful first impression on me.

There were six flavors on the plate.  I got to try four and loved each one of them - the pink Chai Spice, Green Tea, the blue Salted Caramel, and this cream-colored one below (I think it's Coffee Caramel, not dulce de leche as I've posted on my IG).

These macarons were light and crisp, yet dense enough, chewy and moist.  A generous filling is sandwiched between cookies, each one having a distinct flavor.  I've tried some good ones from other shops that were a tad drier and harder to the bite.  Alchemy is so far the best among those I've tasted.

As soon as I got home, I checked out Alchemy's Facebook page and saw all their 10 flavors.  I will definitely order a big box for myself! If you're my friend and thinking of something edible to give me for Christmas, then think no more... *wink* Hehe! =)

* Three days after the first bite, I got myself 2 boxes... and 2 more ten days later! =)

From Wikipedia:
Macaron - (not to be confused with macaroon) is a sweet meringue-based confectionery made with egg whites, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food colouring. The macaron is commonly filled with ganache, buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two cookies. 
The confectionery is characterised by its smooth, squared top, ruffled circumference (referred to as the "foot"), and flat base. It is mildly moist and easily melts in the mouth.

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