My herb dictionary says about tarragon: Tarragon is a perennial plant which dies back completely in winter and which can be picked from late spring until early fall.
It's a bushy green shrub which grows two and a half to three feet high and has narrow green leaves. In July and August, the plant also has spiky greenish-yellow flowers. It wants a well sheltered sunny spot to grow in and does well in containers indoors. Its flavour is warming, spicy and slightly sweet.
Penzey's -- and by now you all know I rely on their expertise -- says that tarragon is the most popular of all the French herbs, because its robust flavour allows it to meld beautifully with the wine and shallots found at the heart of many French recipes.
If you're experimenting with tarragon for the first time, start with small amounts. It’s a strongly flavoured herb and can take some getting used to. The best place to start, I think, is in marinades and salad dressings. A small amount of good French tarragon makes a great addition to your basic vinaigrette for salad. It's also wonderful in baked chicken dishes, Cornish hen and fish. Tarragon is part of the classic fines herbes mixture and is also good as an addition to egg dishes, sauces and hot or cold soups.
Strangely enough, tarragon is one herb that doesn't translate well in the dried version. Since most of its essential oil is lost in the drying process, you'll find that dry tarragon is a poor substitute for the fresh herb. When fresh, the herb can be cooked with no loss of flavour or added raw at the last moment before serving.
Tarragon makes great flavoured vinegar and oil. Try making it into a butter and tossing it with lightly steamed vegetables. Truly an amazing taste experience!
For a basic tarragon vinaigrette do the following: In a jar with a tight fitting lid pour 1/3 cup of white wine vinegar. Add 1 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp pepper and 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon leaves. Close lid and shake well to combine. Add 1 tbsp Dijon mustard and shake again. Now add 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil in two or three stages shaking well between additions. Use this dressing over mixed greens for a wonderful taste experience. For a variation, use only 1 tbsp tarragon, add 1 tbsp thyme and 1 tbsp chervil and increase the Dijon to 2 tbsp. Pour this over a salad of Belgian endive and radicchio. Serve with a crusty bread.
And now for the recipes!
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First marinating and then sautéing result in a spicy, crispy texture. Yummmmm!
4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
3 tbsp cream
salt and pepper
1 cup dry bread crumbs
3 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
flour for dusting
oil for cooking
Mix the mustards, egg yolks and cream into a bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Combine the bread crumbs and tarragon in a separate bowl. Dust each breast with flour, then dip in egg mixture and coat with crumbs. Cover and let coated chicken rest in refrigerator at least four hours.
Heat the oil in a heavy skillet. Cook the chicken approximately 10 minutes on each side, until nicely golden brown.
Yields: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 45 minutes, not including resting time
Great over steamed fish or to jazz up plain broiled chicken.
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
salt
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup 10% cream
1/2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 tbsp chopped fresh chervil
1/2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1/2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chicken or fish stock
Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook for one minute, stirring, then remove from heat and gradually stir in stock. Return to heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then lower the heat and simmer for three minutes. Stir in cream and allow to heat through gently without coming to a boil. Taste and adjust seasoning and stir in herbs.
