Macarons: Attempt #1

These things are tricky! I even got a fancy how-to book, which seems pretty great, but I definitely need practice. I suppose not getting them right the first time gives me something to work on (and an excuse to make macarons every weekend?).

I tried out good old vanilla bean. I'll experiment more once I get this right.

Bad lighting. This is the first batch. A bit large and flat, and speckly due to the almond meal, but at least they have 'pieds' (feet in french, the little ruffle along the bottom).

The last of the (overly runny) batter. I dyed it blue, because who wants a neutral-colored macaron?

I am a pro in the kitchen (ha) and managed to spill a very large amount of batter onto the counter. Naturally I ate it rather than baking it, because I am a ridiculous person.

Some were a bit cracked, and the bottoms stuck to the sheet on others, but overall, I have a good starting batch. And they were still delicious. Mmmm.