fresh tarragon

topic posted Fri, May 2, 2008 - 6:43 PM by  FeralCat
What are your favorite ways to use tarragon?

I have a bunch to harvest and am looking for ideas and recipes that use tarragon.
posted by:
FeralCat
San Diego
  • Re: fresh tarragon

    Fri, May 2, 2008 - 7:25 PM
    I like it with fish.... especially trout. Take a sprig and lay it inside the fish along with salt & pepper. A little goes a long way!

    Dry some of the spring herb.... the flavor is better now than in autumn.... that way you have it for winter. (And gift giving.)


    www.SilverSunbeam.etsy.com
  • Re: fresh tarragon

    Fri, May 2, 2008 - 10:44 PM
    Eggs. Fresh tarragon and eggs were made to go together. Try it with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and mozzarella or other cheese.

    I have a recipe somewhere for a simple chicken dish that calls for chicken, broth, onions, celery, carrots, and tarragon. It's so light and simple, and at the same time, so satisfying. If I can dig it up, I'll post it.

    A note on tarragon, and this is simply my opinion: I use only fresh; once it's dried, it gets sorta stiff and doesn't rehydrate well. YMMV.
  • Re: fresh tarragon

    Mon, May 5, 2008 - 8:41 PM
    are you growing Spanish or French tarragon?

    • infused in (mom's homemade red wine) vinegar, then added to salads, especially salads with cooked grains like quinoa or bulgur in them
    • liberally stuffed under a chicken's skin before baking
    • tarragon melon sorbet or strawberry tarragon sorbet
    • Re: fresh tarragon

      Mon, May 5, 2008 - 11:48 PM
      French tarragon.

      When you do the chicken, do you also use lemon?

      Thanks for the ideas!!
      • Re: fresh tarragon

        Tue, May 6, 2008 - 12:10 AM
        Goodness--I nearly forgot one of the most classic recipes for tarragon--Bearnaise! See recipe below.

        TOURNEDOS WITH BEARNAISE SAUCE
        BEARNAISE SAUCE:
        1/4 c. tarragon vinegar
        1/4 c. dry white wine
        2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh tarragon, or 2 tsp. dried tarragon leaves
        1 tbsp. finely chopped shallot
        3 egg yolks
        1/2 c. butter
        :
        6 slices fillet of beef, 1 inch thick (3 lb.)
        2 tbsp. butter, melted
        Salt
        Pepper

        1. Make Bearnaise sauce: in small saucepan, combine vinegar, wine, 1 tablespoon tarragon and shallot; bring just to boiling over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes, until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup.

        2. Strain mixture into top of double boiler. With wire whisk or rotary beater, beat in egg yolks. Cook over hot, not boiling water, beating constantly until mixture begins to thicken.

        3. Beat in 1/2 cup butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition, to melt butter. Keep warm. Add just enough cold water to hot water in bottom of double boiler to make it lukewarm. Set top of double boiler over water.

        4. Wipe beef with damp paper towels. Arrange on greased broiler rack; brush with 1 tablespoon melted butter and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

        5. Broil, 4 inches from heat, 5 minutes. Turn steaks. Brush with remaining melted butter and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Broil 5 minutes longer for medium rare.

        6. To serve: arrange meat on heated platter. Garnish with watercress, if desired. Stir remaining chopped tarragon into Bearnaise sauce. Pass sauce. Makes 6 servings.
      • Re: fresh tarragon

        Wed, May 7, 2008 - 1:05 PM
        yes, FeralCat, lemon rind and all - that's super yummy. also paper thin slices of garlic and good chunky seas salt on the outer skin!
  • Re: fresh tarragon

    Tue, May 6, 2008 - 3:12 PM
    I love it on roast potatoes. I always throw some on. It's such a nice delicate flavor, I also often use it gravy. Sounds strange, but once it's strained out it leaves this delicious hint of flavor that's wonderful.
  • Re: fresh tarragon

    Wed, May 7, 2008 - 12:37 PM
    Lemon Tarragon Chicken!
    (one of the only things I can really cook...)

    boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    honey drizzled over chicken
    add juice of 2-3 lemons
    finely chopped tarragon
    (can also add other herbs - I usually use fresh tarragon, oregano, thyme, and a bit of sage, rosemary and basil - but just tarragon is yummy, too)
    salt and pepper to taste

    bake at ~375 degrees for ~30 minutes or 'til done

    use extra juice in dish as dipping sauce (can reduce it on the stove if you want it thicker, add more honey if you want it to be sweeter)

    love this with some steamed broccoli and rice pilaf!

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