Fi Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 We have been here for around 5 months. Our neighbour, who is very sweet, and who my children adore, has invited us to celebrate her birthday tomorrow. The brats have already chosen their special present (chocolate cats!) and made cards. I will of course give her a card, but I would like to give a small gift from me. I was thinking of making a batch of macaroons and wrapping them up with lots of ribbon and cellophane - do you think that would be acceptable or would seem to be rather cheapskate? Please be honest!ThanksFi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 [quote user="Fi"] I was thinking of making a batch of macaroons and wrapping them up with lots of ribbon and cellophane - do you think that would be acceptable or would seem to be rather cheapskate? [/quote]No, IMHO, it shows how much you care ... I am sure she would be delighted to receive such a lovely present; made especially for her.Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Would you share your recipe for macaroons with us so that we could all make them and give them as presents as well?[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 It is extremely easy peasy (hence my fear of being a cheapskate!). Here goes:2 med egg whites8 oz caster sugar4 oz ground almondsfew drops almond essencewhole, blanched almondsMakes around 25 bite size ones.Whisk the egg whites until you reach "stiff peaks" (ooer - sorry, very juvenile). Fold in the sugar. Very, very gently stir in the almonds and essence. Put neat teaspoonfuls on parchment lined baking sheets. Press an almond onto each biscuit. (You could use half a glace cherry for variety.) Bake 12-15 mins at 180/mk 4. They should be pale gold and firm (I should get out more). Cool thoroughly and store in airtight containers (or wrap up in a jolly manner as presents). They will be chewy at first, and will become firmer (don't say it!) as time progresses. Eat within a week or they will be very glamorous bird food!EnjoyFi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Something home made is not the sign of a cheapskate but of someone who cares. After all, time is a precious commodity.I recently had a daughter in hospital for the second time running this year. One of my friends made me a shepherd's pie and a fruit salad so that I didn't have to cook for the other children when I arrived back from the hospital. A priceless gift... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 [quote user="Fi"]It is extremely easy peasy (hence my fear of being a cheapskate!). Here goes:2 med egg whites8 oz caster sugar4 oz ground almondsfew drops almond essencewhole, blanched almondsMakes around 25 bite size ones.Whisk the egg whites until you reach "stiff peaks" (ooer - sorry, very juvenile). Fold in the sugar. Very, very gently stir in the almonds and essence. Put neat teaspoonfuls on parchment lined baking sheets. Press an almond onto each biscuit. (You could use half a glace cherry for variety.) Bake 12-15 mins at 180/mk 4. They should be pale gold and firm (I should get out more). Cool thoroughly and store in airtight containers (or wrap up in a jolly manner as presents). They will be chewy at first, and will become firmer (don't say it!) as time progresses. Eat within a week or they will be very glamorous bird food!EnjoyFi[/quote]Thank you, Fi. Say, you're the new Nigella or what?[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 I've never tried to eat a pork chop in my jimjams with only a fork. [:)] Must behave. Thank you for that kind thought! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Sorry, must clarify. I would have been the wearing the jimjams, not the pork chop ..... I think I should go to bed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I thought you meant the pork chop bit was fine but that you'd wear something a little more "comfortable" than jimjams?Sorry, but it really wasn't that easy to work out what you meant?[:D]Nevermind, re-read it in the morning, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fi Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 A very good idea. I saw a bit of a Nigella programme which even she admitted was slightly overdone, where she made a comforting supper for herself which I think was a grilled pork chop with marmolised canned haricot beans. The ridiculous thing was that she attempted to eat said dainty snack semi slumped on the sofa, in her leisure wear (jimjams to you and I!) with only a fork. Beans OK, pork chop, almost impossible. This was the same series where someone married to a Saatchi is apparently reduced to standing in the bus queue clutching a flask of pea soup. [:D] Hmmm.Bonne nuit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Âme Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 [quote user="Cathy"]Something home made is not the sign of a cheapskate but of someone who cares. After all, time is a precious commodity.[/quote]I couldn't agree more. Macarons prettily wrapped sounds like a perfect gift. When I've had shop-bought macarons they are fruit flavoured and different colours, sandwiched together in pairs with (probably) fruit puree. Miam, miam.Thx for the recipe, and the humour. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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