Roasted Shallot And Tarragon Pesto Food

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TARRAGON-SHALLOT BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Lay the breasts smooth-side down in the skillet and cook, turning once, until golden on both sides, about 8 minutes total. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes more.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and cook about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, add 1/4 cup water then cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 3 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix the butter, tarragon, lemon juice and shallot in a small bowl until well combined; season with salt and pepper.
• Top each chicken breast with a dollop of the butter mixture and serve with the green beans and lemon wedges.

ROAST TURKEY WITH TARRAGON-SHALLOT BUTTER

Steps:

• Let the turkey sit at room temperature for about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the packet of neck and giblets from the turkey and set aside. Cut away any fatty pieces near the cavity or neck and discard. Pat the turkey dry inside and out with paper towels and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper inside and out.
• Combine the butter, tarragon, lemon juice, shallot, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl with a rubber spatula. Loosen the skin over the turkey breast and push half of the butter mixture under the skin and over the breast meat. Rub the skin with the rest of the butter mixture. Stuff the cavity with the parsley and lemons. Tie the legs together with twine. Tuck the wings under the body and put the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
• Roast until the turkey begins to turn golden, about 25 minutes. Loosely tent the breast with foil, then reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Continue roasting, basting with pan drippings every 30 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh joint reaches about 155 degrees F. Remove the foil and continue roasting until it reaches 165 degrees F, about 30 minutes longer. Transfer the turkey and rack to a cutting board and let rest about 30 minutes.
• Discard the parsley and lemons from the cavity before carving.

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.

ROASTED SHALLOT AND TARRAGON PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350��F. Place shallots in small baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Cover dish with foil. Bake shallots 30 minutes. Uncover; roast shallots until soft, about 20 minutes longer.
• Puree shallots, any oil in dish, and 1/3 cup oil in blender. Add 1/3 cup oil and all remaining ingredients; puree. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead; chill.)