I have to confess something, I cheated on this Valentines Day. Not in any matrimonial sense, but in a cooking sense. I used the same macaron batter mix for these Strawberry and Red peppercorn macarons as I did for another macaron recipe. Given the high temperatures I couldn’t bear to do much baking and I thought that killing two birds (or in this case dishes) with the one mix would do.
We don’t do anything particularly huge for Valentines Day as our wedding anniversary is only a couple of weeks afterwards. This year we’re celebrating by going to New Zealand’s South Island (if anyone has any tips on the South Island I’d love to hear them). Still we felt the need to celebrate it in some way so what better way than with food. Sure, Valentines Day is, like weddings, pretty much for the girl in the relationship. I had a debate with my husband about Valentines Day – he asked what we were doing and I reeled off a list of girly themed things including movies, food and perhaps a picnic, weather permitting. He asked why there weren’t any guy things scheduled and, exasperated I reiterated that Valentines Day is really a female thing. That’s why things are shaped like hearts, not power tools.
However Men, at the very least, if you whipped these up, you would score some major points with the woman in your life and for many men, that’s about as romantic a notion as you would get. I have to say though that for all of his bloke-isms, my husband is a romantic where it counts. My engagement ring was one thing that I was thrilled and surprised by. We were never the couple that people would have pictured together, yet somehow it works. And another unlikely pair that is said to go well together is strawberries and peppercorns and for this occasion what better shade of pepper to use than pink peppercorns.
Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn Heart Macarons
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 75g almond meal
- 125grams icing sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
- a few drops of strawberry flavouring
- red or pink food colouring
- 1 tablespoon ground pink peppercorns
1. First draw heart shapes in various sizes on 2 or 3 sheets of parchment.
2. Whiz almond meal and icing sugar in a food processor to make finer.
3. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then add caster sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Combine the almond meal and egg whites very gently and add colouring and flavouring. The mixture should not be too runny and should hold it’s shape.
5. Fit a piping bag with a plain 1cm nozzle. Pipe macaron mixture onto parchment using the heart stencils as a guide. Sprinkle over with ground pink peppercorns.
6. Leave to form a skin for 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 180C. Bake in oven for 20 minutes. Cool and remove from parchment very carefully once fully cooled.
Buttercream
- 250grams butter softened
- 4 cups icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Beat butter in a small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy, beat in sifted icing sugar and milk in two batches until fluffy.
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50 Comments | Add your own
Love the idea of strawberry and pink peppercorns. Now I just have to convince myself I could successfully make macarons…
By the way, I just started a food blog, HeCooksSheCooks.net, which I hope you take a peek at.
Sweet and spicy to the max!
Happy V-Day NQN. Those macarons are lovely. What are they filled with?
Great idea and love the styling!
Very cute. I attempted to make macarons for Valentines last night but to no avail. I really have no luck with them!
B and I drove around South island on holiday once. It remains one of our most memorable holidays ever. There’s just so much to see in NZ! I hope you have a fantastic time
Some South Island NZ recs…
- Visit the town of Kaikoura as it is amazingly beautiful
- Ferg Burger in Queenstown is a must for the best burgers you will ever try
- There’s also a place called Winnies in Queenstown that did fab pizza
- Go to Milford Sound and take many beautiful photos and post them up for me, as the road was closed when I was last there and so never got to go.
Sorry not many other foodie hints
Lovely as always! Happy V.Day!
And lucky you, Tiffany & Co!
I’ll be sure to post my V.day feast later on in the week, too busy at the mo!!
x
GOrgeous macarons!
I did a south island trip (but in winter- but the following places are definitely worth checking out)
-Milford Sound- amazing blissful little part of the world- great in winter but better in summer frrom what i hear.
-Akaroa- on the southeast coast- little french colonized seaside town- simply gorgeous, also had some of the best creme brulee of my life there. for the life of me i can’t remember the name of the restaurant. sorry
- lake tekapo- the good shepherd church on the edge of the lake- this tiny romantic stone cottage set against the icy lake
- and fianlly…. lake alexandrina- you may need directions from a local as it’s not widely known about- short drive from tekapo- unbelievably seerene and gorgeous all year round. perfect place for a picnic- not a soul around.
i’d send you some pics but am too technically challenged to link them..
What do you want to do in the SI? I live in Auckland, but my partner is from there, and we’re usually down there to visit three times a year.
“That’s why things are shaped like lovehearts and not power tools.”
I’m currently planning a wedding, and showed my darling an invite I loved, covered in hearts and flowers. “Is it too girly?” I asked. His response: “Well, it is pretty girly. But then weddings are pretty girly. It just wouldn’t be appropriate to have beer and datsuns on the invite.”
These look amazing – I’ve never really experimented with pink peppercorns, but have always wanted to.
These look great. Baking heart shapes without a mould is very impressive!
These are soooooooo cute Lorraine – what self-respecting bloke’s heart would not melt at the sight and taste of these? happy Valentine’s Day!
PS: here is the one and only post from my abandoned travel blog, which features highlights from my trip to the South Island that might give you some ideas:
http://www.cakelawstraveltales.blogspot.com/
I have a tip for you!!! I think you should take me to New Zealand lol.
It’s one of those places I’ve always wanted to visit. Perhaps one day, I’m so jealous.
Your Macarons are so cute, perfect for Valentines.
I love the heart-shaped macarons! and pink too! what a fantastic looking dessert!
Lol Mr S. usually can get away with a less than stellar Valentines performance because his birthday is 6 days after.
Enjoy your anniversary in NZ and Happy V Day Lorraine!
Tiffany blue and pink heart macarons – hope you and your hubby have a great day. PS: I got heart macarons from Zumbo today – mmmm!
Those are precious! I’m so excited to try making macarons – I’ve been stockpiling egg whites!
Cute! Oh so cute! I must try making some macaroons, not had them in donkey’s years…
Lovely and such a pretty pink colour.
Lovely looking macarons Lorraine! Happy Valentine’s day!
Lorraine, they look delicious! My husband & I do not celebrate Valentine because we love each other all year round & love to eat good food every day! Your macarons look so fab!
Happy valentines day to you and your husband! considering that it hasn’t stopped raining all day, we just stayed in and I made dinner out of all the organic goodies bought at EQ this morning. Those macarons look gorgeous! I am still too scared of macaron baking failure. I will get some courage one day!
Oh. NQN, How did you pipe the hearts? Please give me a hint, these are so cute and utterly fabulous… and of course I love all-things-teal-and-white if it comes in a box and has jewelry!
Happy Valentine Day! Hope you two had a fabolous time. I attended a Valentine Masquerade party and it’s just finished ‘cos I need to wake up early tomorrow. No opportuinity to take pic of these foods as people already queue and pick up food quickly, I would be embarassed in a room full of party people, taking pic of foods.
How cute these are! I still haven’t tried making macaroons. Wish to though .
Happy Valentine’s day!
Hi Lorraine, there is an award for you here:
http://kitchenlaw.blogspot.com/2009/02/no-valentine-just-meatballs-in-romania.html
Wow, those are absolutely gorgeous. Love the idea of pink peppercorns in macarons. I have to try these.
Hey! Guys have hearts, too. Not all of us have power tools.
Happy VDay!
Very sweet macarons – I went one up on you with the cheating and didn’t make dessert on Valentine’s Day because we had too much food about the house so I had no excuse
Re your husband asking you what to do for valentine’s day, maybe he needs to come up with a few blokey ideas of his own (afternoon at the shooting range, paint balling, etcetc) rather than waiting for your suggestions! But at least he asked which is more than some men do!
Definitely Marlborough Valley.
Do the tourist thing in Christchurch and Queenstown, also Glaciers, Lake Tekapo etc.
The South Island is awesome – you must go to Akaroa and try fish and kumera chips. So yummy and fresh – it’s very pretty there too. If you love wine, go to Alexandra in Central Otago to a winery called Black Ridge. They are unique in that they can grow a cab sav AND a pinot noir on the same block – one being warm and the other cool climate wines, it’s quite remarkable. Their Guwertztraminer is sensational too.
And if you’ve never been to NZ before, you simply wont believe how BLUE the water is til you see it. Incredible.
Gosh, I’m a winemaker’s daughter and I still can’t spell GEwUrztraminer. Tsk!
Hi Brittany-Ahh I wish I could say macarons are easy but they are so temperamental! *sigh* It looks great, I visited and left a comment
Hi The Duo Dishes-Yes you are indeed correct!
Hi Kathy-Happy Valentines Day to you too!
They’re filled with vanilla buttercream (which I’ve added on, thanks for reminding me).
Hi Cappucino-Thankyou so much! I had a hard time thinking of styling ideas
Hi Bria-I know, they’re a bugger aren’t they
I wish they were more foolproof!
Hi Y-I’m really looking forward to it! Thanks so much, I will definitely report back
Hi Blanche-Ahh cool, thankyou so much! We’re definitely going to Kaikoura to hopefully do some whale watching and to Milford Sound too. I’ve heard about Ferg burger so thanks for comfirming that their burgers are good and thanks for the other pizza recommendation!
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-Happy Valentines Day to you too!
Thanks so much, yes he’s a romantic where it counts although I always laugh at the idea of this big guy carrying a tiny Tiffany bag 
Cool, can’t wait to see what you do!
Hi Kirsty-Thankyou! Thanks too for the recommendations. I wasn’t sure if we’d do Akaroa but it sounds like it’s definitely worthwhile. The lakes sound beautiful, I will ask about Lake Alexandrina!
Hi Liz-See some sights and eat good food really
Hi Clare-Haha I loved “beer and datsuns on the invite” quote! That would certainly be a wedding with a difference and unlike every other one I’ve ever been too (although it might make it into a bloke’s magazine
)
Hi Sara-I had them for a while before thinking of pairing them with this. But I’m glad I did in the end, they’re a warm spicy
Hi Helen-Thanks! It’s easier to make round ones that’s for sure but I love making shapes
Hi Cakelaw-Happy Valentines Day to you too!
Aww thanks so much, you are too kind! Whata fantastic site-thanks so much for that, it looks so gorgeous! 
Hi Chuck-Haha sure! It’s taken me so long to get there, I’ve really got no excuse being just across the Tasman. Thankyou so much!
Hi Cakebrain-Thankyou so very much!
Hi Karen-Ahaa so he knows he’s kind of off the hook? Happy Valentines Day to both of you and thanks so much!
Hi belle-Thanks so much, Happy Valentines Day to you and you guy! oooh lucky you, I liked how you styled it in a Heart box!
Hi anna-Thanks! Aha great idea! It’s so satifyijg when they work I have to say!
Hi Angela-Thanks! I get the urge to make them every so often which just happens to coincide with myurge to eat them
Hi Katie-Thanks! I just ahd to do pink
Hi yaelin-Thankyou so much and Happy Valentines Day to you too!
Hi Sophie-Thanks so much! My husband and I do every day as well but we love having a special day for it. Thanks again
Hi Girl Japan-Just trace out the hearts of baking paper and then use a plain nozzle to fill them. You can squeeze a bit on the top “fatter” bit of the heart and then lift the piping bag for the lower tip. I hope this helps! hehe yes just like me, I get excited when I see the Duck egg blue box
Hi Lilia-Happy Valentines Day to you too!
The ball sounds lovely! Haha if you have a mask though perhaps it wouldn’t be so embarrassing? 
Hi snooky doodle-Happy Valentines Day to you too!
They’re difficult little buggers but well worth it in the end 
Hi Cakelaw-Awww wonderful, thankyou so much. I am so honoured!
Hi Carolyn-Thankyou! They work well together I was really pleased to find
Hi Jude-Haha true true and guys also cook too! Just not all guys
Happy Valentines Day to you too! 
Hi Johanna-Haha cheating like ours is fine I think
haha well I don’t think he minded in the end. I guess he gets to do his “guy things” other weekends 
Hi Nick-Thanks!
I think we’re going all of those places except for Lake Tekapo as I don’t think we’ll have time 
Hi Esz-Ooh I didn’t know you were a winemaker’s daughter. Very cool! Great to know all of these things and I’m ready to be stunned by gorgeous nature at every turn
Oh – one more thing about the whale watching in Kaikoura. If you haven’t booked already I’d recommend going dolphin swimming instead.
The whales at Kaikoura are sperm (memomry??) whales and don’t breech or jump so you only get to see them floating and then diving.
We did the whale thing as it was winter, but I heard the dolphins were amazing.
What an interesting combination! I made macarons too, but failed =(
anyone “whipping these up” for me would find a permanent place in my heart, that’s for sure…
gorgeous! (I made pie on valentines day. With kidney in it. Not very Valentine-y is it? Hmmm…)
Thats just too cute.. can’t even imagine powertool shaped valentine’s treats!! LOL
The flavour combo sounds very interesting…I hope you and your hubby had a great Valentines’!
Oh wow yum and love your composition too!
Oohh have fun in South Island! I lived in Auckland before so I say go there to play
hee hee
Hi pigpigscorner-Your still look good though and you got the feet!
Hi grace-Hehe why thankyou!
Hi shez-I think it’s still a lovely gesture of you to make something! I’d love a pie personally
Hi Soma-Haha yes how funny would it be if Laduree made power tool macarons?
Hi Alexandra-Thankyou so much! I can see that you had a gorgeous one!
Hi Ffichiban-Thankyou!
Ahh if only we had time to do the North Island too *sigh*
Oh, darling, this is the kind of cheating we easily forgive. ;D
These are so beautiful, Lorraine – and we only celebrate V. day here in June.
So cute! Nice flavor combo!
Cheers,
Rosa
Hi Patricia-hehe phew!
Thankyou so much. Wow, I had no idea! Is it very much the same sort of thing? Eg Flowers and chocolate and hearts everywhere?
Hi Rosa-Thankyou very much!
I come from a family of foodies and my father is a Kiwi so we’ve done a lot of things in the South Island.
Make sure you stop somewhere in the Marlborough region at a winery.
Nautilus Estate and Cloudy Bay are among my favourite wineries from the region though their wineries are mostly cellar door type affairs that aren’t the best if you’re not a wine nerd.
French Farm winery has a beautiful restaurant and wonderful food and I highly recommend as a visit for a food blogger.
http://www.frenchfarm.co.nz/
While staying in Picton once my father organised a boat to take us to one of the local Salmon farms where we got a private tour of the fish farm, they let us feed the fish and gave us a talk on meat staining through feed and then of course we got fresh and smoked fish from the farm. There was no commercial tour I warn you and we had to hire a private yacht.
http://www.pictonmarlborough.co.nz/
Without a doubt the best food to be had in that part of New Zealand are the gamier meats. Venison in the area is *excellent* and if you can find it some places have boar.
Oh, it seems you can do more official tours of the mussel farms also
http://www.marlboroughtravel.co.nz/index.cfm/Icon_s_Tour
Hi Amaya-That’s great, thankyou very much for the detailed post! I’m intrigued by the venison and wild board especially and these are on the list. The salmon and mussel farm tours sounds interesting too!
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