Earl Grey Macarons and a Lesson in Grace

I’ve been anxious for answers lately, a little bit more certainty. So it was fitting that a recipe that was quite involved, and never before done in my kitchen, found its way to me. Perhaps the world just knew I needed a lesson in grace.

In Social Work, we talk a lot about giving ourselves and others a whole lot of “grace”. I’ve learned that when we are all constantly moving, going, and doing, every single thing won’t be “perfect” the time. We might not even do our best.

What I know now is our best is changes. Sometimes it’s getting take out instead of a home cooked meal. Sometimes it’s cutting a few corners on the recipe because that’s all we have in us right then. It’s showing up even though yesterday we had more gusto, we still showed up today. It’s saying we’re struggling and going to bed early, instead of putting on the happy face and pushing through.

What we have to give of ourselves ebbs and flows daily. Grace looks a lot like realizing that sometimes we can imagine something better, sharper, tastier, cleaner, the list goes on. But grace is when you let go of what you can imagine, to feel good with what best serves you or those around you in that moment.

So when this big new scary macaron recipe came through my kitchen, I decided I wasn’t going for Laduree Macarons on my first try. That day, time outside with my dog in the lake was important. Having dinner as a family was on the agenda. The night before, I was too tired and we had been up to something so I decided not to set out my egg whites 24 hours in advance (who knew that was a mart of macaron making?!)

I didn’t have access to a blender/food processor, so I muddled the tea leaves. And my almond flour may have been a little chunky without having been sifted. When it came time for the filling, I searched for a simpler lemon buttercream filling because I was ready to be done cooking and join my family.

And guess what? Are they the most beautiful macarons I’ve ever seen in my life? Ehh maybe not so much. But they taste great, they held their shape, and for the first time, I was so happy with my little cookies.

Val from Depressed Cake Shop had been baking these “alongside” me from her home in LA, and had a similar experience (in her own regard as a more experienced macaron maker.) We agreed that grace was most certainly the word that came to mind.

Her sweet heart cookies remind me that I can extend this grace to others far beyond the table. As I crave certainty, I’m reminded that our world right now looks a lot like a big scary recipe we’ve never tried before. I’m reminded that rather than focusing on the perfect or ideal product, grace says we should be cheering on all of us chefs showing up for a recipe that we don’t know exactly how to make, but showing up to figure it out.

Recipe is by IndulgeWithMiMi and was shared by Val of Depressed Cake Shop. Learn more in Val’s forthcoming podcast episode out this Thursday!