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Apr 27, 2012

Guest Post: One "O" or two "Os"






Hello everyone. I'm back ... at least for a couple of weeks, before I have to run off again to follow up on dad's condition with the doc.
Thanks all for being patient with all this inactivity. Whoo! I can tell you where all the activity was .... back home, at the hospital. But after all the last 10 days' of tests and specialists, we know that it isn't life threatening and not too serious altho looking at the discomfort, depression and distress dad was in really turns my stomach.

Anyway, here I am, with a guest post that is loooong overdue. This was suppose to be set for when I'm gone but things happened earlier than planned and I just wasn't prepared. But thank goodness for this ... I'm so exhausted right now after having just returned home yesterday. So while I recuperate and recharge my old batteries, enjoy!

Veronica, aka, Lucy (as in Lucille Ball), aka Quay Po of Quay Po Cooks, really doesn't need any introduction. She's got tons of fans from all over. And if you need an explanation as to why she calls herself "Lucy", head over to her space and read all about it.
I had the pleasure to meet up with her before all this hoohah happened.
She's such a lovely person to talk to and to be with. It was just the two of us and I don't believe we had even a moment's awkward silence (quite common with first meets) in the hours we had together.
Here's hoping we meet up more times once things settle down on my side.

Here she is, folks! Applause, please .....



One “O” or two “Os”

When Ping asked me to do a guest post for her, I felt honored. I immediately jumped on the offer. It is a great feeling to know that you are regarded as a friend and are trusted to write a post for her. Thanks Ping for thinking of me.

Ping’s blog is one that I love to visit because I always admire her incredible creation of new recipes and also the gorgeous food pictures she puts up on her blog. I also enjoy her humor and the wittiness in her writing.

The last time I met up with Ping, I brought with me some French Macarons, with lemon curd, durian filling, and was so anxious for her to taste the macs. You might guess what happened next. When I told her about the macarons, she said she does not eat durian. Aiyoh, I felt so silly for not inquiring first. I love, love love durian and am clearly guilty of assuming all Malaysians will like it too. I forgot that Ping, while a true blue Malaysian, has worldly taste. I should have made the Macarons with kumquat chocolate ganache fillings for her. Now the kumquat season is over, so I guess I can only make that one for her next year.
So the next time we meet up again, my dear Ping, I will make some of these American coconut macaroons (note, two Os) for you instead.

When I first became infatuated with macarons (note, one O) I mentioned to my Quay Lo (my husband) that I was going to learn to make them but I pronounced it as Macaroons. He was very pleased and when I first produced some from the oven that had not crack into halves, or collapse in a messy blotch in the pan, I proudly took a few to him to try. He took one look at them and said “Darling, what is this? These are not Macaroons. I don’t know what these are.” In fact, my husband’s response was no surprise. The recipe for today is indeed an American concoction which they borrowed from Scottish recipes. The principal ingredients consist of egg whites, sugar and shredded coconut. It is the only confection that my Quay Lo knew to be called Macaroon. It is sometimes called a “Coconut Macaroon” just to be sure the listener knows that it is not the classic French Macaron. Sensing my Quay Lo’s disappointment (which was brief as he was soon devouring the Macarons I had offered) I decided to give the Coconut Macaroon (ala American) a try. Here is the recipe along with the photos and I have to say, I like both confections very much. Still, as I told my Quay Lo, I felt that the Macarons (ala French) is a more refined pastry. “Darling, It has been around since 1791 according to the bible of French culinary wonders, the Larousse Gastronomique” I said to him breezily. “Not when you make it so that it smells like sewer water, my dear” he said dryly back.
So you see my dear Ping, you and my Quay Lo are of the same view and I am out voted. So this recipe is for you and your readers with some assurance that these smell perfectly divine… I promise.



INGREDIENTS

2 large egg whites
3 tbs flour
a pinch salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 (7-ounce) package sweetened shredded coconut
½ tsp vanilla extract


METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixer whip egg whites and salt until they become foamy. Add sugar in slowly. Continue to whip until the egg whites are stiff peaks. Add vanilla extract. Fold in shredded coconut and flour.

On parchment lined cookie sheets, drop a teaspoon of the mixture leaving 1 to 2 inches around each cookie. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. The outside should be golden brown but the insides should still be moist.

Optional: Drizzle dark chocolate ganache.











60 comments:

  1. Hi Ping, glad to see you again even thou just for a short while. Hope everything goes well at your site. Take care ya.
    And wish your dad speedy recovery and hope nothing serious.
    My regards to you and all at home.

    Love your guest post, beautiful mac & lovely picture. Yum yum!

    Have a nice weekend. *hugs*

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    1. Hi Amelia. Things are a little better and we hope it'll get even better soon. Thanks for the good wishes. You have a great weekend too!

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  2. LOL....your one O and two O reminds me of a cartoon Word World that my son loves to watch. Yup...QPC is very talented

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    1. Kathy, thanks for seeing me so UP! hehe

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    2. Which cartoon is this? I'm so out of touch with the new cartoons these days :) and no little kids to tell me about them either.
      Yes, QPC definitely is!

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  3. Many o's! Ooooooooooooooo!!!!! Yum! Yum! LOL!!! I wonder if she'll ever make these for me... Will you, Quay Po? Wink! Wink!

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    1. Arthur, I am sure you will like this macaroon as much as you like the macaron. Will definitely make for you someday but again, I repeat, you must come to KL, quick quick.

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    2. I know she will! She's ever so generous!

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  4. Durian macarons? :D Wow... I've heard only stories about what durian tastes like, not to mention the, er, aroma... I'm curious what they must be like.

    I love both macarons and macaroons - you can actually buy them here (France) too (macaroons I mean), although I forget what they call them... certainly nothing sounding remotely like macaro(o)n I think. They often dip the bottoms in chocolate.

    They look really wonderful... so golden and delicately pale! Thanks for this wonderful post :)

    @Ping - good to hear things are going a little better with your family - All the best and hang in there :)

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    1. You are welcome Charles:D Thanks for your kind words.

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    2. Thanks, Charles. I'm doing fine :)

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  5. Oh, Ping, I'm so relieved your dad's illness is not life threatening...hope he keeps improving. And so nice to see sweet "Lucy" guest posting! I adore you both(AND macaroons!).

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    1. Lizzy, the feeling is mutual! Hugs

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    2. Hi Lizzy! Yeah, we all are. And what "Lucy" said (pointing upwards) :D

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  6. Macaroons are definitely easier to make. Havent really made macarons before, need to learn from the guru QP. ;P

    Btw Ping, hope your father is better.

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    1. Yen, can, name the date and time and we can bake macarons together! I am sure we are going to have lots of fun!

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    2. Hello. Thank you, not much improvement but not worse ... that's good for now. Thanks for dropping by too :)

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  7. What a funny story! I admit I have first read about American "macaroons" about a year ago. I was certain macarons=macaroons... Your macaroons look fantastic and you know, now I realise I make very similar sweets but they don't have a precise form and I call them coconut cookies or biscuits! I suppose yours are also very chewy... Great post!
    Ping, I'm so happy the tests were not as bad as you feared. You must feel relieved. It's a big pleasure to see you back!

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    1. Sissi, Thanks. Yes it is a chewy cookie and that is the part that make one addictive to them, don't you think?

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    2. Hi Sissi. Yes, it was a great relief, thank you. But I hate to see him in so much discomfort .. wish I could switch places with him :(
      It's good to be back :)

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  8. Ping, I'm happy to hear that your dad's illness is not life threatening. I'm sending good vibes your way. Must have been stressful.
    Lucy, I love durian. Love it! Feel free to bring me durian macarons if we ever meet. I also like coconut. I'm headed over to your blog to see more. Nice to meet you.

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    1. Oh ya, you love durian? I found a friend. Now, I found someone who appreciate the "sewer water" smell as described by my Quay Lo. Ping and he just did not knew what they missed!! hahaha

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    2. Sorry, forgot to thank you for heading over to visit me and it is pleasure to meet you and hope to meet you in person someday. Yes, if given enough warning, I think I can bring you some Macaroons (2 Os). :D

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    3. Hi there! Yes, we were all very happy to know that too :) Thank you for all the good vibes and good wishes. I'm destressing by looking at food :D

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  9. Hi Ping, here I come to do some dusting & light cleaning jobs & later will take some of Quay Po's dessert, haha!

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  10. Hi Ping, so glad to hear about your dad's condition is not as serious and is not life threatening, just hope that he will be recovering well and will soon be back on his feet again as normal.
    Thank you Quay Po for your lovely recipe of these Macaroons, I'm just glad that they are not durian macarons as I don't like durian too :) I love both of your blogs, how lucky are we to have you both in the same place :D

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    1. You are most welcome my dear. So you, Ping and my Quay Lo now can form a Union!! LOL!

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    2. Thank you. Yes, we really hope he'll recover quickly and be back on his feet again doing all his favorite things. Haha! Join the No Durian Club!

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  11. Glad to hear things are going OK with your dad.
    These macaroons are awesome, I think I posted a similar recipe. Great for a sweet tooth, and for self defence if the need arises:)

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    1. Thanks:D I am going to check out your version:D

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    2. Hey Mr T. Thanks.
      Yeah, the macs look great, don't they? I'm just complaining I only get to look at them. Self defence? You mean, throw them at someone? I think whoever it is will be happy and ready with his/her mouth wide open!

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  12. Ping, I'm so sorry to hear about everything your dad has been going through and enormously relieved for all of you that it is not life-threatening. The blog will always be here so please don't ever feel bad doing what you have to do for however long it takes... that's life.

    Quay Po, these biscuits are absolutely fabulous... It's interesting that you set out to make the American version of macaroon yet your version is a far more refined (aka: sophisticated) one than what I typically come across here. In North America, coconut macaroons are generally more "cakey" and congested with sugar and flour (to the tune of 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup flour). The version you offer up today is a more authentic, in my view superior, rendition (even if not quite macaron ;-). Love this recipe and especially the simplicity! Thank you so much for bringing it to us Ping and Lucy! :)

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    1. Kelly, you are most welcome. I am happy to see that you like my version of Macaron:D It is nice to meet you and I have to thank Ping for this connection with you.

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    2. Hi Kelly! Everyone's pretty relieved. Thank you for those encouraging words. That helps a lot.

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  13. Hi Ping, and Veronica-I'm so glad that you dad's health situation is not "life threatening" ...it's good that he is thoroughly tested and that you are at his side! Glad to see you back on your blog, even if it's for a short time:DDD

    As for the macaroons, with or without the 2 o's! One has nothing to do with the other! I don't recall having coconut in the macarons, it's only with the egg whites; yet, the macaroons are known for the famous "coconuts"...and of course the egg whites!

    Now, getting back to the guest posting. Veronica, "great minds think alike"...such a coincidence that we both came up with the same exact macaroons...except, mine is the double version of the recipe!

    Wonderful guest post, from one "Lucy" to another! So nice of you to help out a friend at a difficult time like this. Family is so important; caring, and support means everything...that also goes for "friendship" as well!
    Hugs, to both of you, dear friends!

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    1. Elisabeth, you are one dear friend that I will always remember. When I was new to food blogging, your frequent visits to my blog and leaving your comments were a big encouragement for me to keep on blogging. I value your friendship and also appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge in cooking and baking with us. HUGS back.

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    2. Hi Elisabeth! Yeah, he's definitely "thoroughly tested" ... turned upside down, inside out, etc :). I haven't heard dad grumble this much.
      I hope your hands are better. Hugs to you too!

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  14. Is that really are there is to making macaroons? I think that even I could handle this!

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Ameena, you sure can! Let these two "Aunty LUCYs" see you do it:D

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    2. Hello, Ameena. As Veronica said .... we'll be happy to see your version when you do make them. I'm sure you'll do great! Thanks for coming by.

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  15. A simple and light coconut meringue dessert. Right up my alley!
    Thanks, Quay Po, Ping.

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    1. Hi Angie. Glad you enjoyed Quay Po's post!

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  16. Very cute guest post, Ping. Hope all goes well for your dad.

    Veronice/Lucy/Quay Po, these macaroons bring back sweet memories - our local bakery did them when I was a child - haven't seen them for years!

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    1. Thank you. Yes, dad is feeling a lot better than before. Glad you enjoyed this post.

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    2. Thanks Hester. I am sure this simple yet delicious macaroons brings back sweet memories for many. It sure did for my Quay Lo.

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  17. My family prefers macaroons over macarons. This was a great post!!

    Ping, so glad to hear that your father's illness is less serious than previously thought. Sending good thoughts your way for a speedy recovery!!

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    1. Thank you, Kristen, for the good wishes. Glad you enjoyed this guest post.

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  18. I hadn't noticed you had macaroons on your blog too. They look lovely. My recipe is very basic - I dont even use flour.

    I've had a coconut thing going on recently with different types of macaroons and macarons.

    Lovely story from Quay Po - you have a good friend there.

    I hope your dad is gaining strength, and I send you lots of love x

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    1. Haha! Yes, I noticed your coconut "thing" lately :)
      Quay Po is really sweet. She's a keeper! :D
      Yes, dad's getting better slowly. Thank you.

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  19. Ping, I sympathize with you on your ailing parent -- mine, too. (Which partially explains my recent absence from "comment world!") Blessings to you and your family.

    How lovely to "tune in" and find Quay Po here, too. (Hi!) LOL at the "one 'o' (or two?) in macaroons" -- as long as they taste good... right?! I, too, think durian sounds like a "challenging" taste to acquire -- have seen it on the food shows... haven't been compelled to acquire it yet. :) (No offense, Quay Po!) Thanks for your faithful comments! Glad to be back and visiting you!

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    1. Oh dear, you too? I hope things aren't too serious and here's wishing them a safe and speedy recovery.
      I'd suggest your first intro to durians to be to take a big sniff at it first and if you don't pass out, proceed to step 2, open the fruit. :D

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  20. hi ping, just came over from quay po's blog to read on her guest post and nice knowing you here. i hope by now your dad is getting much much better. i know how stressful and tired it can be especially looking after someone who is not well but i hope you are now fully charged at the time i'm writing this.

    quay po: if i have the chance to taste this, i think i dont even bother to care whether if it's one 'o', two 'o's or three 'o's but probably you will hear me saying all the 'ooooh ooooh' and the "aaahh aaahh"s upon eating these, they look extrememly good and light!

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    1. Hi Lena, nice to meet you. Yes, dad's a lot better than before altho not a hundred percent recovered ... but getting there. Thank you. I am also very nearly fully recharged myself :)

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  21. So glad to read this update about your dad being better! Whew... I thought of this often and did pray for your situation a couple of times... Great guest post from Quay Po! I like this kind of treat - with one o or two! Thanks for a great recipe!

    :) Hugs to you, Ping!

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  22. Thank you so much, Marsha, for all your prayers. It's definitely a big "Whew" from all of us.

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