Citrus Crème Fraîche With Tarragon Food

FRENCH CHICKEN TARRAGON

Steps:

• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature.
• Heat the oven to 400°F. Put an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and shallots and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and chopped tarragon and cook for 1 minute (be careful not to let the garlic brown). Arrange the chicken thighs in the pot in one layer, add the broth and wine, and bring to a simmer.
• Put the lid on and place the pot on the middle shelf of the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F and continue baking for 45 minutes, or until the thighs are tender. Put the thighs on a platter, cover loosely, and keep warm.
• Strain the pan juices through a fine sieve into a saucepan and spoon off any rising fat. Place the pan over medium-high heat, add the crème fraîche and lemon zest, and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Spoon the sauce over the chicken, garnish with tarragon leaves, and serve.

LEMON-TARRAGON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, saute garlic in butter until the garlic begins to brown.
• Add the Riesling.
• Mix, add the cream, and, lowering the heat, reduce the sauce for 10 minutes.
• Add the lemon and tarragon and cook for 5 minutes more.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve over fettucine.

OYSTERS WITH CREME FRAICHE, LEMON, AND TARRAGON

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. In a mixer bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the creme fraiche or sour cream until soft peaks form. Stir in the tarragon, lemon zest, orange juice concentrate, salt, and cayenne; set aside.
• In a jelly-roll pan, layer the kosher or rock salt 1/4-inch thick. Gently press the oyster shells into the salt to hold them in place. Broil the oysters 6 inches from the heat source for 4 to 5 minutes, or just until they begin to release their juices and the shells pop open slightly. Remove from the broiler and remove the top oyster shell by inserting a butter knife and popping the shell off. Top each oyster with a spoonful of creme fraiche topping and serve immediately.

CITRUS CRèME FRAîCHE WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Combine crème fraîche and fruit zest in a small bowl. Stir in orange juice. Add tarragon, scallion, and salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until serving.

POACHED SALMON WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Zest the lemon and cut into wedges. Mix together the crème fraîche, tarragon, garlic, lemon zest and a squeeze of juice, season to taste and set aside.
• Bring a large shallow pan of salted water to the bowl and cook the green beans for 3 mins until just done. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain and cool under cold running water before tossing with the crème fraîche mixture.
• Bring the pan back to the boil, then turn the heat down to a very gentle simmer and slide in the salmon pieces. Poach for 8-10 mins or until cooked to your liking. Remove from the pan and put on kitchen paper before plating up. Serve with the green beans and baby new potatoes.

LEMON CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Wipe the chickens and season them inside. Using a skewer, prick the lemons all over, then put two inside each chicken. Tie the legs together, place in separate roasting tins, then brush each with 1 tbsp oil. Roast for 1 hr, then brush the skin with a little honey and season with salt and pepper. Roast for a further 30-40 mins until the chickens are well cooked and glossy. Remove from the tins and leave to cool. They can now be wrapped in foil and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hrs.
• To make the dressing, whisk together the crème fraîche, tarragon, lemon zest and juice, remaining oil, salt and pepper.
• To serve, separate the leaves from the Little Gems, then arrange over two platters. Remove the breasts from the chickens in one piece, then pull the meat from the legs and wings and shred it. Cut each breast into 7-8 pieces. Put a little brown meat in each lettuce leaf, then top each with a slice of breast. Just before serving, drizzle a little dressing over each piece of chicken.

CREAMY MUSTARD & TARRAGON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Heat the oil in an ovenproof pan. Season the chicken breasts, then brown for 1 min on each side. Remove from the pan, then set aside.
• Add the crème fraîche, mustards and tarragon to the pan, stirring to combine everything. Bring to a simmer, then return the chicken to the pan, spooning some of the sauce over the fillets. Lift into the oven, then bake for 20 mins until the chicken is cooked through and sauce bubbling. Great with green beans and rice.

BAKED AUBERGINES WITH TOMATOES, TARRAGON AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Slice Aubergine into 1 cm rounds, lay in colander and sprinkle with salt, leave for 30 mins then pat dry with kitchen towel.
• Heat oil in a large fry pan (should be about a 1 cm depth so add more oil if needed) over med high heat, fry aubergines a few at a time until golden on both sides, Drain on kitchen paper.
• Melt butter in another saucepan and add the chopped tomatoes and garlic and season well with salt and pepper, cook for 15 mins until soft.
• Put the creme fraiche in a small pan and bring to boil over a med heat. Allow to bubble until reduced by a third, take off heat and add all the herbs and half of the parmesan, taste for seasoning.
• Preheat oven to 180°C Line the bottom of a large oven proof baking dish with aubergines, follow with thin coating of tomato sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan, continue layering in this way finishing with tomato sauce. Pour over the creme fraiche and sprinkle with remaining parmesan.
• Let the dish sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to get aquainted!
• Place in oven and bake for 20-25 mins till golden brown.
• Allow to stand for 5 mins then drizzle with a little extra good Virgin Olive Oil.
• Do not serve this dish too hot.