Ma…Makaron!

Hi readers!

// trying to concentrate on blogging while watching the new season of Gleeee! //

I’ve been queuing my photos to blog in an orderly, non-repetitive (e.g. breakfast after breakfast) manner, and finally up to macarons! I mean makaron’s with a ‘k’!

I have been recommended MakMakaron some blog posts ago by a reader; as he quoted, “better than Zumbo and Le Renaissance”. The sound of ‘better’, had me interested. I found MakMakaron on facebook/twitter and have been waiting for a chance to pick up some MakMakarons where they stocked at… such as Baffi & Mo! (During breakfast, one lovely day~)

I felt a tad greedy when I told the lady at the cashier ‘Can I please have one of each flavour?’, but in the back of my mind I knew it’d be worth it. The flavours available (unfortunately not all from their collection )….

• Mocha
• Vanilla
• Peppermint and chocolate
• Black sesame
• Raspberry and cardamon-scented white chocolate ‘rice-pudding’

Do any of these flavours interest you??…

If you’re a new reader; you may be unfamiliar with the way I consume macaron’s;

To lessen the guilt, and be able to try more flavours… I tend to divide each flavour of macaron up into 5 pieces to between my 3 sisters, my boyfriend and I to share/try… we would play a guessing game, and give a vote what our favourite flavour was.

Curious yet?

Firstly, I’d like to confess to my sisters {who may be reading this post}, that I shared half the peppermint and chocolate macaron with the boyfriend and myself! .. so they didn’t get to try it …

What I realized was; I’m not usually a fan of having an entire macaron to myself, because it may be to sweet or I can pass with just a taster, but this time was different. I ate half the macaron and honestly wanted to finish the whole thing (if it wasn’t for the boyfriend ). What can I say? I really loved the texture of the macaron; it wasn’t too hard or too soft, it was just right, and the best bit about these macarons is that it’s not too sweet; hence I’d gladly finish it to myself. *Not forgetting to mention, it was my first peppermint/choc chip macaron*

The sweet factor brings me to another point; it was a delight munching away on these, even though I only had 1/5 of the other flavours… I really loved the ganache or whatever filling was in each one of them. I have to say, usually the fillings in macarons taste more artificial than the original flavour… for example, more sugary sweet, but these were ‘true to their flavour’, if you get what I mean.

I particularly enjoyed the Raspberry and cardamon-scented white chocolate ‘rice-pudding’ macaron most because I tasted bits of raspberry rather than pure ganache. As it name suggests, it does pack a punch!

The other one I also found interesting was the black sesame; I love it when Western recipes take influence from Asian flavours, and also the fact that I love black sesame, earns another point!

Personally, I found Baffi & Mo selling it for $3 is a little pricey; well understandable since they are only stockists… but I guess its okay if you were curious to try! I’m craving some more MakMakarons now by the end of this post… although I could order directly from Makmakaron, I’m eagerly waiting for the next outing where I could order a batch of ‘makarons’ without the guilt! and be able to share the lovely flavours at the same time!

As you can tell I thoroughly enjoyed these macarons and can definitely add them to my list of favourite macaron chefs! (If you have any more to suggest, comment away!) I urge you to try get your hands on some too if you’re a macaron lover like me!

Sweet weekend ahead to you all!

Baffi & Mo, Redfern

Located along one of the busy streets of Redfern, Baffi & Mo could be easily missed if you’re driving and least expecting an awesome cafe to catch your eye… that’s the case with me. I had heard of Baffi & Mo before and never looked into where it was until my friend took me one Saturday morning for brunch.Then it hit me, I’ve always driven along that street and never noticed it!

Not saying that it doesn’t stand out, the building itself with big glass windows peering into the cafe itself, with Vintage wallpapers and a large communal table.

It was my second visit to the cafe by now (and this time brought my dslr with the 50mm 1.4 attached!), this time it was another breakfast getaway between the boyfriend and I.

Second time round, I noticed several more details in the cafe, the old sofa, old tables, old chairs (which you sit on of course). I love it when cafes go just a bit further with details! The place itself just reminds me of Charlie Chaplin, the other ‘Mo’s‘. (Hence Baffi & Mo )

large communal table

Even this sugar holder itself is a lovely vintage addition! (old sofa in the background)

Stargazer lilies are one of my favourite flowers! It’s such a happy flower in-my-opinion, and I was happy that there was one especially on our table

A shot of latte to start the day…

I, myself indulged a pot of chai tea with honey.

Sauteed mushrooms, eggs, ricotta and basil on sonoma miche bread, topped with hollaindaise sauce.

Mushrooms were juicy, accompanied with the light tangy-ness of the hollaindase sauce, and the eggs were cooked to perfection. It easily fulfilled my tummy’s needs.

The boyfriend had scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and toast. I have to say, they do a pretty good job with eggs!

An inexpensive breakfast getaway, that will keep you, your tummy and your wallet happy!

If you’re going for the first time, avoid going on Weekend mornings unless you are prepared to wait in queue! I went during the weekend for my first time, second time it was during the week, it was less crowded and yes a great breakfast/brunch location or just for a cuppa-tea!

I’d gladly go for for third time just to review the other delights on their menu!

Baffi & Mo
94 Redfern Street, Redfern
(t) 8065 329

Sunshine, Lollipops and Cupcakes

‘ Everything that’s wonderful is what I feel when we’re together ~ ‘

I had the chance to help my friend at Cupcakes by M at her first wedding event; transporting, setting up and photography her wedding cupcakes for a couple’s big day!

I had little idea what I was expecting, all I knew was… there would be roses, and tea cups - immediately I thought, garden tea party themed?

So the day came, 7am in the morning, I arrived at Martina’s place and she was just doing the final touches. Now transporting the cupcakes for a wedding is another responsibility for myself as the driver; who kept thinking “drive like a granny”, fortunately it arrived safe and sound!

The wedding ceremony and reception took place at Centennial Park, Sydney – it’s a big park with many beautiful spots suit for a wedding… but this couple specifically chose one with the duck pond as a backdrop, with beautiful trees nearby. Although the light when we arrived was a little harsh (as you will see in the photos below), but I can imagine as the day dawned it will be a really beautiful sight!

I’ve never seen a wedding unfold before my eyes… so this was a first time… although as a ‘passerby’, the atmosphere was great…. especially with the sight of beautiful flowers and decor slowly put into place. But our responsibility was, to set up the more important features of this wedding… the 7 tier tower of cupcakes! I shall let the photos speak for itself!

While setting up…

There were tea pots and tea cups!

Look at the details of decor on the table!!

Yes, the cupcake tower belonged on the ‘sweet things’ table… along with green apples, ribbons, feathers, giant lollipops.. mm mm!

Then there was the signature Cupcakes by M bouquet with beautiful lace butterflies!

The decor on this table is to die for!

As you can see, this was the more ‘tea party’ table, now how fitting is the bouquet of cupcakes? If I weren’t so familiar with cupcake bouquets, i would say it blended in quite nicely with the flowers! and see the birdcage on the right? the decorator later put a real canary in there!

What I loved about this wedding is, there were many different assorted flowers – which of course fit well with the wedding theme! Good job to Mosi’s Florist !

Don’t you just hate it when you ‘capture beautiful light accidentally’? in this case, it was the last look at the wedding on our way out ~

After much hard work – Cupcakes by M has completed an impressive job again! Looking forward to her next wedding!