The Experiment Begins...

The recession has affected us all in different ways. As it turns out, MAs are not enough in these harsh times to land a bright young lady in employment, let alone two, so we have been forced to return to our home towns (Dublin and Manchester) and live off the charity of our parents whilst we battle the rising tide of unemployment.


As ever, for every cloud there is a silver lining, and what better way to take advantage of living with our mothers than to use their not-inconsiderable kitchens to conduct a baking experiment?


The Challenge: 2 amateur bakers on either side of the Irish Sea, 1 year, 52 flavours...


Amidst the stresses and challenges of unpaid internships, voluntary work and battles with the Job Centre, we will be raising our spirits by doing what we enjoy most. No, not writing for Mills and Boon (although watch this space), nor working towards PhDs, nor watching period dramas, nor indeed drinking gin in its various manifestations. We shall be BAKING.

Inspired by the events of Summer 2010, our chosen medium will be the not-so-humble macaroon. Ambitious you say? I concur whole-heartedly, but there is a well-known saying that runs thus: "Reach for the moon, and you'll land among the stars." Of course, we may just end up unceremoniously falling off our ladders, but without risk there is nothing to be gained, n'est-ce pas?

So, until further notice, the terms of the challenge stand thusly:

• The challengees shall undertake to bake a minumum of 52 flavours** of macaroons between them from the 1st January to 31st December 2011. 
• Each week of the ascertained time period will be devoted to one flavour of macaroon.
• For each week of the ascertained time period, baking will be undertaken by one of the challangees (if not both). 
• The results will be posted on this site by the Monday of the week following, with accompanying taste-test scores, photographs and baking tips.
• If for any reason a challengee is unable to do their share of the baking at any point, the flavour(s) missed will be carried over into the next week.

**There are no particular restrictions on flavours, although they will more often than not be determined by availability (/cost) of ingredients, the time of year, flashes of day-to-day inspiration and how much effort we feel like making on the given week.

To paraphrase my lovely Irish comrade, GAME ON!