Baby showers are a celebration of love and new life where the expectant mother is "showered" with gifts. It is an exciting time for family and friends. Beyond receiving gifts, the purpose of the gathering is a sign of love and support to let the her know that she is not alone in this new journey. The expectant mom needs this support to navigate these uncertain waters. After all, it does take a village to raise a child.
Little Bit's haiku
growing and glowing
little bit is on her way
flower blossoming
Recently, I was invited to a dear friends baby shower who lovingly calls her baby 'little bit'. I had the pleasure of baking macarons for her wedding reception a few years ago and was honored to be invited to the shower. She loves strawberries so naturally I made strawberry macarons for the party.
strawberry macarons for Mrs Omori's shower
I used recipes in the Bouchon Bakery cookbook for the Italian meringue macarons and the Italian meringue buttercream. I wanted to intensify the strawberry flavor by adding powdered freeze dried strawberries to the almond flour and confectioner sugar mixture but the resulting macaronage was too thick and pasty. When baked it resulted in a discolored sour tasting macaron shell. So, I threw those macaron shells out and regrouped. I decided to go with a strawberry and cream flavored macaron. I made vanilla flavored macaron shells, that would provide somewhat of a cream flavor, using a vanilla bean. The macaron shells were colored with a few drops of intense red food gel. The strawberry Italian meringue buttercream was flavored with sixty grams of Oregon strawberry preserves from Clearbrook Farms. The O was written on the macaron shell in edible ink by @bethhuntcalligraphy and provided the finishing touch.
The video demonstrates the technique of folding the macaronage until it flows like lava and then slowly dissolves into macaron batter.
Strawberry macaron showing the filling of a circle of strawberry Italian buttercream and bullseye of strawberry preserves.
The macarons, as well as the other treats, were enjoyed by all of the guest. The food was great as well as the shared sense of community.
The guest had fun decorating onesies for 'little bit' to wear. The mom-to-be was happy, her smile lights up the room.
I was very honored to be invited and be a part of such a lovely baby shower.
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