Apricot Tarragon Ice Cream Recipes

FRESH APRICOT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place the apricots in boiling water for 20 seconds to loosen their skins, then remove them from the water, drain and peel them.
• Separate the apricots into halves and discard the pits.
• Chop the apricots coarsely and put them in a large glass bowl.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the sugar; stir and let stand for 1 hour, then puree them.
• While the apricots are standing, prepare the custard ice cream base.
• Beat the egg yolks in a bowl until they turn a light lemon yellow color, about 3 or 4 minutes. Set aside.
• Combine the whipping cream, milk and the remaining sugar in a heavy-bottom saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking often, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.
• Ladle about 1 cup of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, whisking constantly until well-blended and smooth.
• Pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan and continue to cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to form a film or coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add the almond extract.
• Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then stir in the pureed apricots.
• Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

CHICKEN BREASTS IN TARRAGON CREAM

Steps:

• 1. Browning the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large (10 to 12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Using tongs, carefully lower the chicken breasts into the pan and cook them for about 1 minute on each side just until hey begin to brown slightly. Transfer the still-raw chicken to a plate.
• 2. Poaching in cream. Reduce the heat under the skillet to low. Add the shallot and cook, stirring constantly, until softened but not browned, less than 1 minute. Add the vermouth and cook for 30 seconds, then add the cream and half the tarragon. Return the chicken breasts to the pan and adjust the heat so that the cream gently simmers. Cover and cook until the chicken is firm and just cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. To check for doneness, cut into the thickest part of a breast with a paring knife ¿ there should be no sign of pink or translucence.
• 3. Finishing. Transfer the chicken breasts to a warmed serving platter or individual dinner plates. The sauce should be thick enough to lightly coat a spoon. If it is too thin, continue to simmer it for about 1 minute and it will thicken. Stir in the remaining tarragon and the lemon juice, then taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve right away with buttered egg noodles.

APRICOT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine apricots, lime juice, and sugar in a large skillet.Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until apricots are glazed and syrupy, 7-8 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and chill. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled. Serve with yogurt or ice cream and garnish with tarragon leaves, if desired.

APRICOT-TARRAGON ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine tarragon with milk and heavy cream and bring just to a simmer. Cover and let set for 1 hour. Combine yolks with the sugar and whisk until pale. Bring the cream back to a simmer and slowly pour the cream mixture into the yolks while stirring. Return the mixture to the pan and cook over low heat and continue stirring until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Strain, pour into a container and chill in an ice bath. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. Romove from refrigerator and stir in apricot puree. Process in a an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.