I'm Hooked on Macaroons..& Eclairs..&..
Maybe it's the smell of the fresh bread or the Quiche Lorraine that draws me in to my neighborhood 'Paul' ( a chain of boulangeries/cafe located all over the city) but it's the macaroons that keep me coming back again and again. In fact, I have been known to make a special trip to savour these delectable goodies.
All the flavors are mouthwatering -mocha, pistache, chocolate.....my old favorite is chocolate, but after trying my first pistache a few months ago, I now have a very close second runner-up. I admit, the bright green color turned me off at first but once once I bit into one I was hooked.
Macaroons are very rich and sweet, so the small ones are enough to satify every sweet-tooth but since you've made your way here go ahead and indulge with the large one, save half for a late-night snack, no one will, at least not as long as you continue to walk, walk, walk.
Speaking of walking, I think this is the key to why so many of the Frenchwomen stay thin. They do have dessert and sweets but they walk everywhere. In most cities in the U.S. you get into a car to go everywhere with a short walk inside the store and then back behind the wheel. I think I can handle this French diet - walk to the boulangerie, have something sweet and walk, walk, walk all the way home.
Also, high on my list of pastries are the eclair chocolat, those creme-filled patries topped with chocolate. The best I've found is Maison de Chocolate and while you're in the store be sure to check out the scrumptious dark chocolate covered almonds.
Each boulangerie has their specialities, the one close to my apartment has a wonderful Millefeuille, thin layers of flaky pastry and creme all topped with a dellicious layer of iced perfection. So go ahead, enjoy all the delights of your local boulangerie and then walk, walk, walk.
