Great find today. I was at Wegman’s doing last-minute fourth of July shopping and saw the Nicolettes that were sitting very lonely in the glass case with some pretty linzertortes and chocolate domes. I tend to ignore Wegman’s patisserie because 1) family suffers from allergies, and 2) I prefer to do my own baking. Usually on July 4 we do the traditional picnic with brownies for dessert, but hubby was feeling out of the weather today so a picnic was out of the question, and I really didn’t feel like working with the toaster oven. Daughter and I were hoping to get some mini-brownies instead, but the nicolettes reminded me of Herme’s and were just begging to be taken home. So I purchased a mini-box of 9 pieces (50 cents each). I get home and do some Googling, as they look like the macarons I’ve been planning to make forever (but never get around to)… The Wegman’s page that confirms it. I must say Wegman’s has impressed me again. I’ve had a few problems with Wegman’s (like the time we bought some not-so-fresh sushi, and the time I bought dried porcini that looked like it escaped quality control) — but they’ve always made things right, even sending me a $10 gift certificate once to make up for the “inconvenience” (the dried porcini).
I don’t care if the nicolette’s are Herme’s or not though. They were incredible. Nine-year old Paco loves the lemon ones and says, “they look like mini-burgers”. LOL!
Munch munch munch….swoooon….
Wa-a-ah…I’m jealous! I want a Wegman’s in Maine…my daughter lives in Rochester and when I’m visiting her I think up excuses to go to Wegman’s. It’s all the more alluring because I CAN’T HAVE IT.
Hey Stef, thanks for stopping by my blog earlier today…yes, I guess when the topic is spinach and eggs, great minds tend to think: Florentine, or variation thereof.
Hi Stef! They remind me of french macaroons (not even remotely like our macaroons, no coconuts, just ground almonds). My neighbor is a french chef and we used to go to his restaurant just for those macaroons.
If you get the chance, you must try the superb macaroons at Laduree in Paris. They are to die for… I have tried to make them at home and have failed miserably. These look like a bargain at 50 cents each!
kirk, wegman’s is so great — i’ve requested that they carry a few things that they didn’t and they’ve always complied or special-ordered things for me. perhaps there’s a friendly market near you that may order some of pierre herme’s creations? or a bakery that will tackle these lovely things?
malou, that’s exactly what they are, interchangeably known as macarons or macaroons. however most people associate macaroons with the coconut variety (which i dislike intensely, i prefer our macapuno balls).
marketman, your recommendation is on my notes of “places to visit” if we ever make it to Europe this year!
Hello Malou, The macaron at Laduree are much the same as the Pierre Herme macaron. Pierre was in charge of the Pastry Kitchens at Laduree until he opened his own shops in Tokyo, Paris and consulted for Wegmans.