Pinched Orange Macaroons Food

BLOOD ORANGE MACARONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar and almonds in a food processor and pulse until powdery. Sift through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding any large pieces.
• Beat the egg whites and salt in a medium bowl with a mixer on medium speed until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and increase the mixer speed to medium high; gradually add the superfine sugar and continue beating until firm peaks form, about 5 minutes. Add the food coloring. Sift the almond mixture into the bowl and add the orange zest. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until the batter slowly drips off the spatula (it will still be thick).
• Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Pipe about sixteen 1 1/2-inch circles, 1 1/2 inches apart, onto each prepared baking sheet. Tap the baking sheets against the counter to release any air bubbles, then use a damp finger to smooth any peaks of batter. Let stand at room temperature until shiny and dry, about 15 minutes.
• Bake 1 pan at a time, rotating it halfway through, until the macaroons are slightly crisp and the bottoms release from the parchment, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets. Sandwich the macarons with a thin layer of jelly.

ORANGE COCONUT MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place the coconut in a medium bowl. Wash and zest the oranges and mince the zest well. Squeeze the juice from the oranges, strain, and sprinkle half of it over the coconut. Toss well. Gradually sprinkle on more orange juice, a teaspoon at a time, tossing well with the coconut. Stop adding juice when the coconut is just moist enough to hold a snowball. Do not overmoisten. Mix in grated orange zest and set aside.
• Place egg whites and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat at medium speed until opaque and loosely foamy. Increase speed to high and add sugar in a slow stream down the side of the bowl, beating until stiff and shiny. Remove from machine and fold in the coconut. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto parchment lined baking sheets and form each into a little mound with moistened fingers. Bake at 325 for 1012 minutes until cookies are set and tips are browned. Remove from oven and let cool on rack in pans for 5 minutes, then use spatula to remove cookies from pans and let cool directly on rack. When cookies are cool, melt chocolate in small metal bowl over gently simmering water. Dip bottom of each cookie into melted chocolate and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment of wax paper. Allow chocolate harden and then serve.