Sephardic Style Macaroons Recipes

BEST FRENCH MACARONS

Steps:

• Combine confectioners' sugar, almond flour, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times until extra-fine. Sift through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.
• Beat egg whites with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until frothy. Gradually add superfine sugar and vanilla and continue to beat on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat; tips of peaks should hold their shape but curl over slightly.
• Gently fold 1/3 of the almond flour mixture into the egg whites, turning bowl occasionally, until nearly combined. Drop in food coloring. Add remaining almond flour mixture in 2 additions, gently folding until a batter comes together. Batter should fall off the spatula in thick ribbons without breaking.
• Transfer batter to a piping bag with a #804 pastry tip. Line 2 light-colored baking sheets with silicone macaron mats. Pipe batter into each circle on the mats. Tap baking sheets 4 times against the counter to release any air bubbles. Let macarons sit at room temperature until dry to the touch, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Bake macarons in the preheated oven until bottoms rise slightly off the mats to form 'feet', 17 to 20 minutes. Switch baking sheets positions halfway through.
• Let macarons cool on the mats for 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat butter and confectioners' sugar together using an electric mixer until creamy. Add heavy cream and vanilla extract; beat until combined.
• Transfer buttercream to a piping bag with a #4 pastry tip. Pipe buttercream onto 1/2 of the macarons. Top with the other halves to create sandwiches.

SEPHARDIC-STYLE MACAROONS

Steps:

• Blanch almonds in boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove, drain and peel. When cool, grind in a food processor.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium-size bowl mix the ground almonds, sugar and egg whites. Drop from a teaspoon onto the cookie sheets, leaving 1/2 inch between macaroons. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly brown. Dust with confectioners' sugar when cool.

ALMENDRADOS (ALMOND-LEMON MACAROONS)

Steps:

• Using a food processor equipped with a metal blade, grind 2 cups almonds very finely. Add 3/4 cup sugar, the egg and lemon zest, and pulse to make a cohesive dough. Transfer to a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick liner. Place remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl.
• Pinching off pieces of dough about the size of a walnut, roll them first into balls, then into sugar. Gently press an almond point first into top of each cookie, so that half the almond can be seen. Arrange cookies one inch apart on baking sheet.
• Bake until cookies have barest hint of color but still remain soft, 8 to 10 minutes. (Cookies must be soft when removed from oven to avoid excess hardening when they cool.) Cool completely, and store in an airtight container.

PUMPKIN MACAROONS

Steps:

• Combine pecans, flour, lemon peel& coconut in a medium bowl.
• Tip egg white into another med bowl& beat with a hand mixer till soft peaks form.
• Gradually beat in the syrup& vanilla, then fold into pecan mix, adding pumpkin as you go.
• Line cookie sheet with parchment paper& drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto it.
• Let relax at room temp 30 min.
• Preheat the oven to 300.
• Bake mid-oven till just beginning to brown, 25-30 min.
• Let cool on rack till completely cool.
• Store tightly covered.

ALMOND MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275°F. In an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Add the lemon zest. Gradually add the sugar and beat until the whites are very stiff and shiny but not dry. Fold in the ground almonds.
• Cover 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray or grease them. Using 2 teaspoons, take a heaping teaspoon of batter in one and scoop it off onto the baking sheet using the other teaspoon. Place the cookies 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
• Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the cookies are firm and slightly brown. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before removing the cookies from the baking sheets to a rack. When cool, store in an air-tight container.

SEPHARDIC MOROCCAN SWEET MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place meat in a mixing bowl and add onion, parsley, egg, and matzo meal. Blend and add the tomato juice, salt and pepper. Knead until smooth.
• Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and knead again.
• Shape into small balls.
• Cook the onion in the remaining oil until tender and brown. Add water and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste. Drop in the meatballs, one at a time, into simmering liquid and simmer until firm.
• Pour the meat balls and broth into a baking dish and add drained raisins and prunes. Add almonds and pumpkin.
• Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon and bake until golden brown and nearly all the liquid disappears.
• Serve with couscous.