The Boy has been doing a grand job in the kitchen here, trying out new recipes and methods, and churning out calorie laden goodies by the baker's dozen (though none have been vegan so I've been excluded from all the tasting) .
However, macarons, the pesky little blighters, have proved to be his nemesis. So far.
One afternoon this week, I came across a recipe I'd jotted down in a notebook for 'Easy macarons', one which didn't involve boiling sugar and water or the use of a thermometer.
So, with nothing else in the diary that day and just about enough ground almonds in the cupboard, I gave it a go. A sort of mid-week technical challenge.
This was my third attempt at macarons making (the results of the first can be seen here; the second batch ended up in the bin) and, whilst far from perfect (and, again, not vegan but I'm working on that), they were flat and glossy and didn't look too bad. Blue raspberry, colour and flavourwise, a bit like those ice pops.
The Boy gave them a cursory glance as he walked past and muttered just two words:
'Show off'.