Saturday, March 31, 2012

Lucy met Lucy

We commented on each other’s blog often. We chatted on facebook. We teased each other LUCY because we shared a lot of common traits. Yesterday, we finally get to meet each other in person for lunch.  Yes, I met Ping of Ping's Pickings in person yesterday for lunch. She brought with her a box of homemade pineapple tarts and some special coffee.

Pineapple tarts from Ping (click on photo to get 
the recipe at Ping's Pickings


They look so delicate and as soon as I arrived home after our meet, I popped one in my mouth and I ended up eating half of them. I had to stop myself so as to not finish them all and be left with nothing to take these photos. That is how yummy they are. Thanks Lucy (Ping), I can’t call you Aunty Lucy because you are so much younger than me.

I brought some macarons which I made last night with me, thinking that we can both enjoy them with a cup of coffee after lunch. Unfortunately it was the wrong flavor of filling for her. I made lemon curd durian fillings and regretfully, she does not eat durian. (Another "Lucy" moment?) I should have made the kumquat chocolate ganache filling for her. Well, there is always the next time and I am looking forward to it already.  I have been very fortunate this week to also meet up with Yen and hubby of Eat Your Heart Out and Mei Yee and hubby of I Am A Witch. I have a lot of notes from that meet up and will blog about the wonderful visit we had next week.

Vanilla Macarons with lemon curd and durian fillings

Ping and I had a wonderful lunch and I gave her an earful of my bad experience with the real estate agents. She shared her stories of similar experiences with me. After lunch we adjourned to have coffee. I said, “Let’s go to Table for Two” for coffee.  She laughed and said, “I think it is Tea for Two.”  When we reached the coffee place, we realized both of us were wrong, it was “Tea Forty Two”. So now you know why we call each other Lucy? LOL!

I love my new friend already. I am just in awe over how truly amazing she is! Direct and not pretentious at all. It feels as though I just spent my afternoon with my best friend, someone I have known forever. We will definitely hang out again sometime soon, aren’t we Lucy (Ping)? 

Here is the recipe for the macarons.

Lemon curd and durian fillings:
1 cup mashed durian pulps
1/2 cup lemon curd (click to get the recipe)

Method:
Mix till both mashed durian pulps and lemon curd thoroughly till fully incorporated.

Vanilla Macarons shells (click to get the recipe)

Note: This batch of macarons did not turn out as perfect as my last batch. There were many bumpy and cracked shells and the legs were not even. I think I did not let it dry long enough because I was eager to get it done and go to hit the sack. I should have let it dry for another half hour. I found the fillings a bit sweeter than I like. I think it is because the durian was very sweet. I used "Musang King" durian. I suggest that you reduce the sugar on the lemon curd so that it will be less sweet. Instead of 3/4 cup, use just 1/2 cup of sugar.



64 comments:

  1. I wish to make macarons...but i'm not up to that level yet. LoL...the bright color of vanilla macarons looks so tempting.

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  2. Replies
    1. Hi Gloria, so happy to see you:D How I wish you are staying nearby so that I can make some for you.

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  3. Awww .... you're sweet. Thanks for linking me and my tarts. And so very happy that you and your Quay Lo enjoyed them so much.
    Thank you for a lovely time. It was so comfortable being with you ... like you said ... it's like I've known you for years.
    I'm so regretting that I can't appreciate durians. Your macs are beautiful. I was actually looking forward to make a post about our meet and about your kumquat macs. But, never mind, a good reason to meet up again ... not that we need a reason.
    (Next time we grab Shannon so we can finish our lunch) :D

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    1. Oh yes, looking forward to meet Shannon and you again. I will make my family all time favorite carrot cake, for you guys.

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  4. The pineapple tarts look very pretty. I can't wait to read your blogposts next week ;)

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    1. Oh the pineapple tarts taste as good as they look.

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  5. Ah that not only looks beautiful I'm sure it tastes amazing!

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  6. cute looks wonderful I haven't had dessert with durian

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    1. I guess you haven't had dessert with durian is because it is difficult to get durian where you stay right?

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  7. My, my, my, Pineapple tarts and Vanilla Macarons with lemon curd durian fillings, both look so beautiful. I would love both.

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  8. You wanted to come here for tea ah?
    Good, I'll gladly serve you some.

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  9. The pineapple tarts is looking yummy! Will definetely wanna try bake macaroons one day~

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  10. Sounds like good bonding time with a fellow foodie and blogger =) both the pineapple tarts and macarons look yummy! You all got 'mo qi'.. same color series (orange)for the bakes hee...

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  11. Your filling is very creative, I don't think anyone has thought of durian-lemon before! But please give me Musang King neat, straight from the fruit! Oh, how I miss durian!! ;-)

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    1. I know, Musang King is the best durian I have ever had.

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  12. Lucky you... lovely looking tarts... I love both pineapple and durians as well... wink wink...

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    1. Yes, it is lucky to have food bloggers as friends. Can sample lots of home cooked or baked yummy food.

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  13. LOL....great meeting so many liked mind people :)

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  14. Oh? You met Ping. No photo? What does she look like? As sweet and pretty as her jam tarts? And you got to met Lionel too? I've never had to meet him or Witch...yet! Hope to get the opportunity sometime... And ooooo!!!! They got to eat your macarons!!! *pull hair, throw tantrums...!!!!!

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    1. Ping is a very private person so I did not even ask her to take a photo with me. Oh yes, she is a classy lady. Who is Lionel? Arthur, you sure you still have hair to pull or not? hahahaha

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  15. Helloooooooo Lucies! It's really interesting to see how bloggers connect & finally meet up. So much fun!

    For for myself, I'm sure u've heard I've got a new toy in my kitchen & have been busy playing with it. Come over & chk out my latest Happy Call Recipe: Fluffy Minced Pork Omelette too :) Enjoy your weekend, ladies!

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    1. Yes, it is always lots of fun meeting up with blogger friends. We share common interest so can connect easily. Will check our your new toy shortly. I am enjoying my weekend, hope you do too.

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  16. The macarons and pineapple tarts look so pretty, and their colour matches each other.

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    1. CK, do you like durian? If yes, will make some for you when we meet again.

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  17. How lucky to receive those tarts, and of course meet the baker too:)
    Those macaroons look awesome.
    Its interesting how we meet people through blogs, facebook etc.

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    1. Yes, I am very lucky and so is my Quay Lo. He said Ping's pineapple tarts is the best and I cannot agree more. Yes, it is amazing to get to know so many nice people through blogs and facebook.

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  18. I love meeting up with bloggers we always seem to have so much in common. Glad you had a great day. Take care Diane

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    1. Exactly. We connect so easily and we have so much to share. Have a nice weekend.

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  19. Yes, it is great fun to meet up with bloggers and making friends with them... I also have a great lunch with an Ipoh blogger yesterday...
    So Ping is Lucy and Quay Po is also Lucy.... did you get this "Lucy" name from Lucille Ball, "I love Lucy?"

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  20. SO many delicious things. I love the taste of lemon. Than you for sharing xo

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    1. You are welcome. Thanks for your visit and following. XO

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  21. Hmm... the tarts and macarons look amazing! Am drooling already. Thank God I have some kaya swiss rolls with me while I read your post!

    And yes, it is delightful to meet bloggy friends in real isnt it? It is a bonus to click well face to face than just chatting infront of the laptop or pc or ipad eh?

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    1. You are spot on! I like how you describe the face to face "Click well".

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  22. holy fantastic cook! my goodness. i like your photography, & you are cute. :)

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    1. Thanks for liking it here and I would to think I am cute too. hehehe

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  23. OMG...the tarts look so enticing! If I were you, I can't stop popping into my mouth too..eeheheheh

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    1. I want to try out Ping's pineapple tart recipe. It is so NOT traditional and my Quay Lo just love it. If successful, you, Kathy and Eli will get to taste it. But won't promise when. Rather busy lately:D when are you going to Sibu?

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  24. musang king? durians are back? haven't seen of smelt any though...Yes last year this time was a seriously serious durian season. I am curious with the taste of the filling. will try the filling. My attempts over the weekend was horrendous. All the shells came out disfigured:-(

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    1. No dear, durian not back yet. Those are the ones I saved in the freezer:D If you try the fillings, remember to use less sugar in the lemon curd.

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  25. Hi Lucy!! Wow! I love the sound of your macaron! This is a classic example of "east meets west"!! Unfortunately durians are rare here and I barely get to eat them :( Anyway!! Looking forward to more recipes from you! Love your blog! Looking at the pictures and reading your stories brought a smile to my face! :)

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    1. Thanks for dropping. The feeling is mutual. I enjoyed your space too. Hope to see you again soon.

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  26. I love your story of Lucy meeting Lucy! This is so cute! I'm a fan of Ping too and she is very clever in her writing and cooking.

    Your Malaysian-French fusion version of macaron is beautiful. Every bite of it must be exploding with exotic flavours.

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    1. Oh yes, agree with what you said about Ping:D I am sure she has lots of fan like us. As regards to the macarons, I was very happy with the combination of lemon curd and durian filling. Maybe that is because I am nuts about durian. LOL!

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  27. Hi QPVL, mmmmm...your macarons and Ping's pineapple tarts plus a cup of strong black coffee, on a cold wintry day (I am patiently waiting for winter to hit) = bliss!! And if the filling is 2 cups of mashed durian pulp instead of one, I would even be more happy, heh heh!!

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    1. Yoong, there is no winter here but I like our suggestion. What I do is next time, I will turn on my air con full blast and have that hot cup of strong black coffee and my macarons. I promise when I will be thinking of you:D

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  28. How lovely Ping's pineapple tarts looked, can imagine how you can manage to eat so many at one go lol! Lovely write up about the Lucys:D I have visited Ping's blog before and never failed to admire her kicking ginger photo:)

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    1. Thanks Jeannie. Ya, Ping's blog is filled with lots of gorgeous food photos and all her post are interesting read.

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  29. Quay Po, you really have a busy life! I think now I should go to pay a visit to Lucy's blog! It's good to know another Lucy since the one whom I know is a funny person! Easter holidays is just around the corner, any special plan for the coming holidays?

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    1. Jessie, I am a very hyper person and I feel depress when I have nothing to do. LOL! I know you will enjoy Ping's blog. She is a good and witty writer and her food photos are gorgeous. We don't celebrate Easter here so it will probably be another normal day for us:D What is your plan. BTW, it was of sweet of you to call and chat with me the other day. Hope to be able to chat with you in person soon.

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  30. So nice that the two of you finally got to meet in person, since you're not far from each other. Veronica, I'm so thrilled about you and Ping meeting up for lunch. What a sweet gesture to have her bring along the delicious, and scrumptious little tarts.
    I was hoping to see photos of the two of you together...did you not take any photos?...don't understand why Ping is such "photo shy!"
    I have absolutely no clue as to what DURIAN is...sounds exotic. Your macarons are perfect, and lovely. I do know that the lemon curd is amazing filling...paired with Durians?...that's a mystery to me!
    Two great ladies with two amazing blogs...two LUCYS ...hmmm! what a great combinations, there, as well!
    Thanks for sharing:DDD
    Hugs,

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    1. Elisabeth, I was thrilled to meet the other Lucy. LOL! I knew Ping is a very private person so I did not even suggest to take a photo with her:D Thanks so much for your compliment, I am just wondering when these two LUCYS will get to meet you in person. You are yourself an amazing lady. You always give your support to new bloggers by following their blogs and leaving kind and encouraging comments and ever so generous to share your cooking and baking knowledge with us. Thanks so much for your friendship again.

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  31. Your lemon curd and durian filled macarons look divine!

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  32. How nice you two got to meet for lunch...I can just imagine how all the conversation went. You both sound so similar to me and both have a good sense of humor. I would love to try a durian macaroon...I have only had the candy (I wanted to see what it taste like) I liked it, but have not tried the fruit itself. I was hoping to see pics too! Such fun!
    Cheers!!

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    1. I know, everyone is curious how this witty lady who writes, cooks and bakes well look like but like I said, Ping is a very private person:D I can also imagine that if I ever get to meet you someday, we will be like old friends too. Hugs.

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  33. Hi QPC! I truly enjoyed reading about your meet up with Ping, and also the part where you called yourselves Lucy. That sure put a smile on my face. Having said that, you are absolutely right about one thing. It's not easy to meet unpretentious people. Hopefully, I will get to meet you and Ping soon, when I have a day off coming ;). We here in KL ought to organise a makan session. LOL.. Forgive me, as that's all I think about.. Btw, I am just drooling over your durian and lemon curd. I think this is where I am truly Malaysian. I LOVE my Durians... keke... All the best for Aspiring Bakers Challenge!! xoxo, Jo

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    1. Jo, we are looking forward to that. Hope to see you soon. Just give us a buzz and I will make myself available. Give me enough warning time, I will try to bring you some macs with lemon curd and durian filling to taste if they come out successful by the time I meet up with you. XOXO

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  34. Your macarons look so delicious, yummy with durian filling....slurp!

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  35. tablefor 2 is wendy's blog..haha! you thinking of wendy , is it? LOL! shall chk out Lucy NO2 in a short moment.

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    1. Lena, yes lah, I think I miss Wendy:D I am sure you will enjoy Ping's blog.

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