Rate this book

I Love Macarons (2009)

by Hisako Ogita(Favorite Author)

3.86 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0811868710 (ISBN13: 9780811868716)

languge

English

genre

Food & Cookbooks

publisher

Chronicle Books

review 1: The formatting for the ebook was off on a lot of pages, such that full page images didn't show. Also, the presentation of recipes were inconsistent. When it came to food colouring, for instance, in some cases the amounts were stated, in others they weren't. Also, "add more of this than" just doesn't do it when it comes to baking recipes. Accuracy and precision are key. Also, 375°F/ 190°C is way too high a temperature for baking macarons.I think it's important to note that this recipe books was translated from Japanese to English. That probably accounts for some of the awkward and weird diction and expressions. The book also has a very cutesy feel. Not my preferred style at all but anyone who is into Japanese culture or cute stuff in general will be charmed by this book.W... morehile I wouldn't use this book for the recipes in themselves, it seems that the book would be useful as a source of inspiration. There are a lot of flavour suggestions for the biscuits and cream fillings alike, and also for the combinations. Another important chapter is the one on troubleshooting failed macarons. Packaging ideas, serving suggestions and extra recipes for left-over egg yolk can be found in it as well. Overall, putting together all these chapters proves how much thought has been put into this book. However, the formatting and the actual recipes did leave more to be desired.
review 2: Beautifully styled and photographed but fails on so many practical levels: the recipe ratios are wrong (20% less ground almonds than normal), the baking temperature recommended is far too hot and the baking time far too long, real vanilla contains a good amount of oil and natural alcohols so adding it to your meringue before the dry ingredients is nearly guaranteed to split it, etc. I could go on but the most obvious failure will be right in front of your face: the macarons photographed all over this book are lumpy, matte and have spread-out feet. Which is no big disaster if you're en enthusiastic amateur but is a bit of a problem if you write a book on the subject. The overall impression I got was that a well-meaning but clueless Japanese housewife somehow stumbled into a book deal just as macarons were becoming the next big trend and was lucky enough to have a great photo styling team to cover up her lack of substance. It IS an adorable book from an aesthetic point of view but don't waste your time taking it into the kitchen. less

Download links for: I Love Macarons

Advertising