What goes well with savoury macarons? Enjoy plenty of recipe ideas to serve with them. From mini spicy curry macs, beetroot and horseradish, Bloody Mary or mushroom - let's have some delicious fun!
- Mad About Savoury Macarons (Hot & Spicy)
- Do Savoury Macarons Still Need Sugar?
- Savoury Macarons - How do you Eat Them?
- What Flavour is a Purple Macaron?
- Tikka Curry Macarons (Perfect with Soup!)
- Thai Red/Green Curry Macarons
- Garden Herb Macarons
- Savoury Macarons (for Adults Only!)
- Mushroom for Fun
- Easiest Savoury Macaron Filling
- Mad About Savoury Macarons - the Recipes
Mad About Savoury Macarons (Hot & Spicy)
Savoury macarons may perhaps sound strange if you haven't tried them. Yet. So, once you have with a glass of something chilled during the festive season or for a special occasion, the result is pretty mind-blowing. They're surprisingly delicious!
If you've tried any of the savoury macaron recipes from my first book's 'Mad Macs' chapter, you'll discover that many of them are hot and spicy. This makes an interesting tasting sensation: the sweetness of the macaron distinguishes the fire after the first couple of seconds!
Do Savoury Macarons Still Need Sugar?
A Parisian macaron needs sugar in the recipe in order for the macaron shells to work but can we cut down on sugar for making savoury macarons? The cool answer is YES!
While I was developing the recipe for the savoury macaron chapter in my first book, Mad About Macarons, I aimed at cutting down on the sugar as much as I could dare. The result? I couldn't believe that the macarons still worked!
Savoury Macarons - How do you Eat Them?
Savoury macarons are pretty mad. They're fun to try on their own with an apéritif or pre-dinner drinks.
For example, try mushroom and truffle macarons with a chilled glass of wine from the Jura. Alternatively serve spicy curry macarons with a Gin and Tonic. This adds a bit of heat and sparkle to any party.
They're not just great with drinks. Serve them with a bowl of soup or on top of a bright and cheerful roast beet salad - or even a risotto! The surprise element is taken to the next level and adds a touch of gourmet fun to the table.
What Flavour is a Purple Macaron?
Normally a purple macaron in Paris would be cassis, which is blackcurrant flavour. However, don't be fooled with this savoury purple one - it's beetroot with a spicy kick of horseradish!
Gourmet meals can be given that extra touch of chic with a beetroot macaron with horseradish (recipe on page 103 of my 1st book). Here I've served it with Salar Scottish hot smoked salmon with an apple and horseradish sauce.
On a family visit to my husband's island of Corsica, we tasted a surprising gourmet starter consisting of this Corsican Terre et Mer charcuterie plate. It's so simple yet sophisticated.
It may look and sound unusual but, believe me, the mix of smoked salmon with smoky charcuterie dried hams just works.
Why not serve them with a mini portion of beetroot and horseradish risotto, especially designed to accompany your mini savoury macaron on top?
Tikka Curry Macarons (Perfect with Soup!)
Mini tikka curry macarons (on page 100) are brilliant for festive starters or appetizers.
They're a spicy surprise on the side to velvety soups, like this pumpkin soup with ginger.
Dress it up to party during the Christmas season by adding a couple of fried sage leaves with pink peppercorns.
Important: don't serve pink peppercorns to anyone with nut allergies. Read this article by my friend, Christina Conte on her discovery with nut allergies.
Curry Macarons with Cauliflower
Mini Tikka MacSala macarons are that delicious French touch with a cauliflower soup. Did you know that anything referred to as Dubarry in French cuisine refers to a dish made of cauliflower? This Crème Dubarry is probably the most creamy, classic French soup and was created for Madame du Barry, King Louis XV's last and favourite mistress.
For more about the romantic story, see the soup recipe for Crème Dubarry.
Or with an extra dose of curry, mini tikka macs are just as delicious with a Curried Cauliflower Velouté too, with a sunken, seared scallop or two...
Tikka macarons, predominantly with cumin in them for spice, also go well with this Moroccan Chicken & Prune Tagine. I even found extra mini porcelain tagine dishes in Paris that could hide a mini cumin macaron in them for that extra surprise at the table.
Thai Red/Green Curry Macarons
Curry fans can make it hot under the mistletoe with the mini Thai curry macarons. Make them red or green, depending on your mood with a hint of coconut. Again, great with a Gin & Tonic but try them with food to get the party well and truly started.
Ever played a blind-tasting game with your dinner guests? They'll love this one: try this Arugula Soup with Smoked Garlic. Can't find smoked garlic? Just replace with smoked paprika. It's incredible how rocket can taste so delicious in a soup - and add a Thai mini curry macaron and we're talking HOT!
Garden Herb Macarons
Inspiration for this warming French watercress soup (soupe au cresson) came after a trip to the beautiful watercress beds in Normandy. Serve with garden herb macarons (recipe on page 97 of the book).
Savoury Macarons (for Adults Only!)
Moreover, serve the above salad with a Bloody Mary macaron. Now this is a surprise with a slightly bigger punch. However, please do ensure that you inform guests that there is a touch of vodka in them.
Serve as an apéritif with crudités: chopped raw carrots or cauliflower florets with dips like broccoli hummus.
Why not serve a few tomato (mini Bloody Mary) Macarons with these roasted tomatoes with mozzarella.
They're ideal as nibbles in the winter, when tomatoes are not usually as tasty out of season. So roasting them slightly in this way concentrates their flavour.
Intersperse Bloody Mary tomato macs on sticks with these party toffee cherry tomatoes - great fun!
They would also be great served with a Seared Scallop and Chorizo Risotto.
We're back to that warming bowl of soup again, though. Serve Bloody Mary Macarons with a smooth Sweetcorn & Red Pepper Chowder.
In fact, most of the savoury macarons in my book goes with this, as a touch of spice is sensational wrapped up in a tiny, chic Parisian macaron.
Mushroom for Fun
We love mushrooms! Follow my recipe for mushroom macarons and serve them with a Mushroom Cappuccino with a splash of coffee.
Easiest Savoury Macaron Filling
Perhaps the easiest filling for a savoury macaron would be to sandwich mini brown or yellow shells together with mustard. We tried one in a rather chic restaurant on our gourmet trip to Dijon and it was fabulous!
Mad About Savoury Macarons - the Recipes
All of the above mentioned savoury macarons have their very own Mad Macs Chapter in my first book, Mad About Macarons. They're not just fun but utterly delicious and add a fun side to the festive table or special occasions at any time of year.
Not ready to make the plunge to savoury macarons? Then I still have plenty of sweet macaron recipes to choose from in both my books.
This post was originally published on 20 December 2013, but is now updated to include many more recipe links and new images since this was posted.
Eva Taylor
Hello, I’m here from Liz’s blog.
I’ve been pondering the idea of a savoury macaron for ever, thank you for showing us that it can be done! The flavours and colours you’ve chosen look incredible. Now my mind is racing about the possibilities!
Jill Colonna
Bonjour Eva - what a lovely surprise and thanks to you, discovered that Liz had posted about the chocolate tarts from Teatime in Paris! Happy you popped in to see the crazy possibilities here. With macarons, you have an empty canvas so have fun with the recipes.
sherry
what a fabulous idea. i would never have thought of savoury macarons. have a great festive season.
Jill Colonna
Savoury macarons do sound a bit crazy but they are not just fun but so good! Hope you try them. Have a delicious festive season, Sherry x
Christina Conte
So many macarons, so little time! Who knew you had THIS many savory macarons to choose from? I love the bloody mary ones and how you put the stem on them! Just two of us for Christmas this year, so will have to figure out a simple menu. Thanks for the inspiration, Jill!
Jill Colonna
Agreed - the savoury macarons have such a large canvas. You could make as many different kinds as you wish. I get you on the simpler menus for this unusual Christmas - but cheers to being back with our families again SOON!
Gintare @Gourmantine
I've first tried savory macarons in Aix en Provence a few years ago and found them to be sensational to say the least. I have to get my hands on your cookbook and head straight for the savory macaron section!
Happy New Year 🙂
Jill
They're fun, Gintare, so hope you make them. I love the spicy hot ones which are a real gourmet experience! All the best to you.
Shirley Moffat
Jill what a lot of super savoury ideas - not just macarons but delicious nibbles - your recipes as so "do able" and the photographs show great ideas of presentation. You are always coming up with something new and I am sure you are now thinking up more fantastic recipes for 2014.
Hope your back is a lot better Jill and I wish you and yours a very happy, healthy and exciting 2014.
Jill
Thank you so much for such kind words, Shirley. Yes, being good with the back and continuing with physio every week so this will be a good year. Also on the recipe front. Still waiting to tell you all but something exciting on the burner for this year!
Liz
Oh, Jill, I MUST add savory macs to my 2014 baking list! SO many fun ideas and pairings. Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family! Fingers crossed I get back to Paris one day soon (I'm hoping for a trip with my sisters who will all appreciate the culinary wonders of your city!).
Jill
Fabulous, Liz - hope you're getting that girls' trip planned to Paris this year! Keep me posted. Ooh, and also for your savoury macarons...
Pois Gourmand
Bonjour Jill,
Félicitations pour votre très joli blog. Passez de bonnes fêtes de fin d'année.
A bientôt
Bérengère
Jill
Merci, Bérangère. A bientôt en 2014! Avec les meilleurs voeux pour une année délicieuse, remplie de bonheur.
Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.)
2014 is the year of the savoury macaron for me. Thanks for a bunch of GREAT ideas - so festive and fun. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a wonderful new year - may our paths cross again soon XO
Jill
Thanks so much for all your lovely comments and support, Mardi. Great to meet you when you in Paris this summer. Cheers to many more gourmet travels for you in 2014!
Jamie
Oh my, they are all fabulous (and will so be pinned to my pinterest Macaron board! I made savory sweet macs a few times and loved them though I will admit my family was afraid to try them. I love all your flavors and know they would be amazing with soup or just a glass of wine. And I also love the crab balls and the pretty little quiches! No holiday parties this year for us but I might just let you inspire me to make a few little nibblies.... Happy Happy Holiday, Jill! xo
Jill
Thanks Jamie. I know, I have the same ‘problem’: many people are afraid to try them at first but when they do, they become addicted! The fact that they’re tiny helps, too.
Enjoy the family this festive season, Jamie and looking forward to seeing you in 2014! All the best. xo