Macarons in Paris - Laduree

We went to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall last night for Brahms Violin Concerto by Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The opening performance was dedicated to people in Paris, followed by some silent time for contemplation. It was a really serene moment, followed by the beautiful and moving music. Everyone reflected what happened last Friday and our hearts were with people who were affected by the terrible event.

My husband and I visited Paris long long time ago. We went Louvre Museum and saw Mona Lisa as you would do for being a tourist. Not long after that, Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code came out as a new book. It shows how long ago our trip to Paris was.

I remember what we ate whilst we were in Paris.  We had Moules Frites in a lovely corner bistro not far from Montmartre. We had Salad Nicoise at a cafe near our hotel. The hotel we stayed was a normal three star hotel, nothing fancy but I remember croissant and pastries we had for breakfast were really delicious. We also had morning coffee at a typical Parisian cafe by the River Seine not far from Notre Dame Cathedral. We passed by a fruit and vegetable shop on a street and I was enthused by the lovely and 'real' smell of fresh fruits and vegetables unlike what you get in a supermarket. We also went to Fauchon (http://www.fauchon.com/en/) to have an absolute delectable eclairs with Earl Gray tea infused cream with a lovely cup of tea.  Although our trip to Paris was such a long time ago, I remember what we ate.

Emily and Craig went to Paris good few years ago. That was before they got engaged. They went to Laduree (https://fabricantdedouceurs.laduree.com/en_gb/) for their famous macaroons.

The pastry shop was founded in 1862 but Louis Ernest Laduree, a miller from the southwest of France. The Laduree's macaron started in mid-20th century by taking two macaron shells and joining them with a delicious ganache filling. Since then, the recipe said to have remained the same.

However, the history of macaron goes all the way back to the 9th century Italian monastery, when macaroons were mentioned in the culinary history, according to Wikipedia. The Italian monks went to France in 1533, joined by the pastry chefs of Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henri II.

You eat macarons or eclairs and you think of the Laduree or Fauchon. You eat macarons or eclairs and you think of Paris.

When you eat, you want to know what's in the food, where it came from, how it came about and when it originated and started. Eating food is learning about one country's culture as well as its history. When you eat, the world travels with you. You feel connected with the place you visited, reminiscing about the wonderful time we had during our holidays.

Wonderful and loving memory in Paris

You feel connected with Paris through wonderful and fond memories you had there. Last Friday's event has affected many people in many different ways.  This blog is dedicated to people in Paris and to those who are affected by the recent event, but also to those who are in other parts of the world where conflicts are their every day event. My thoughts are with those people who are affected.

All photos were taken by Emily from Emily and Craig's trip to Paris in June 2013. 

May peace prevail on earth.