Tarragon Asparagus Recipes

ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON BUTTER

Steps:

• Trim woody ends from asparagus.
• Place the asparagus in a large frying pan with about 1 inch of boiling water.
• Cover with lid and cook for about 6-8 minutes, until the asparagus is tender but still firm.
• Drain well.
• Arrange the asparagus spears on a warmed serving dish.
• Make the tarragon butter by creaming together the remaining ingredients; heat it gently and pour over asparagus.
• Serve at once.

ASPARAGUS WITH CREAMY TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with foil.
• Add the asparagus in a single row to the prepared sheet tray. Drizzle with the olive oil, toss, and then season with some salt and pepper. Roast until tender, 15 minutes.
• Serve on a bed of spring mix and drizzle with the Creamy Herb Vinaigrette.
• Add the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, tarragon and shallots to a bowl and whisk until smooth and emulsified.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON BUTTER

Steps:

• Fill the bottom pot of your steamer with a couple inches of hot water. Set it on the stove, covered, over high heat to bring it to a boil.
• While the water is heating, rinse your asparagus and cut off the bottom two inches. Add the asparagus to your steamer basket.
• When the water is boiling, place the steamer basket on top of the boiling pot and cover the steamer basket with a lid. Steam your asparagus for 10 minutes, or until it is just tender.
• When the asparagus is almost done cooking, place your butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl and cover it with wax paper. Melt the butter in the microwave. Rub the tarragon between your thumb and fingers to crush it up a bit, and sprinkle it into the melted butter. Add your pepper and stir to blend.
• Serve the asparagus in a platter with the bowl of tarragon butter on the side. Each person can spoon some tarragon butter over his or her portion. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to four days.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS TARRAGON SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Remove the root and tough outer leaves from the leek; halve lengthwise. Soak in vinegar and water to cover for 30 minutes. Rinse. Cut into 1/4-inch dice.
• 2. Heat the oil and butter in a pot. Add the leek, onion and parsnip; cook over low heat to soften, 15 minutes.
• 3. Add the broth and tarragon; bring to a boil. Add the asparagus; cover, then simmer for 30 minutes or until very tender. Uncover and cool.
• 4. Puree the soup. (If it seems stringy, pour through a strainer.) Add the cream. The soup may be served chilled or reheated over low heat; do not boil. Serve 1 1/2 cups of soup per bowl, placing 3 melon balls in the center of each serving, surrounded by 4 mint leaves. Add a dollop of sour cream on one side of each bowl.

ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot.
• Add the asparagus, return to a boil, and cook about 2 minutes or until just tender.
• Rinse and drain under cold running water.
• Pat asparagus dry with paper towels.
• For tarragon sauce, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, shallots, tarragon, lemon juice, salt, freshly ground pepper, and red pepper in a small bowl until well mixed.
• Arrange asparagus on a platter and serve with tarragon sauce.
• Makes 20 servings.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare asparagus and sauce as directed above.
• Wrap and refrigerate asparagus and sauce for up to 24 hours.

ASPARAGUS IN TARRAGON HOLLANDAISE SAUCE GOOD AND FANCY!

Steps:

• Bring large pot of salted water to boil and choose a stainless steel mixing bowl that will sit on top of the pot without touching the water.
• Cut off the bottom of asparagus spears where they turn light colored and tough. If asparagus is thick (which is how I prefer it), peel bottom 2/3 of each spear with a sharp vegetable peeler.
• Whisk egg yolks in mixing bowl with lemon juice, water, salt and a few grindings of black pepper and set aside.
• Boil asparagus until it's tender but still has some snap, 4 to 6 minutes. Test it by holding a spear by the bottom with tongs held horizontally; it should be limp and bend like a bow toward the floor.
• When it's cooked, use tongs to remove asparagus from water and arrange on warm platter.
• Put bowl of sauce ingredients on top of rapidly boiling water and whisk vigorously until it is very thick and foamy. This will take only 2 to 3 minutes and you will easily be able to sense the point when the sauce becomes custardy and fully cooked.
• Whisk in butter and, when it's incorporated, add tarragon.
• Pour sauce over asparagus, or pass it separately in a serving bowl, and serve right away.

WARM ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Put the mustard in a small bowl. Whisk in the vinegar, salt and pepper. Slowly add the olive oil, whisking constantly, until completely incorporated. Stir in the shallots and tarragon. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
• Trim the asparagus, discarding woody ends. Steam, roast or grill the spears whole until just tender when pierced with a fork. Do not overcook.
• Arrange the still-warm asparagus on a warm serving plate, spoon the dressing over it and turn the asparagus gently to coat.

ASPARAGUS WITH TARRAGON SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Steam asparagus on a steamer rack set over boiling water, covered, until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes (depending on thickness), then transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
• Whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon.
• Halve egg and force each half through a coarse sieve into a bowl. Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette and divide among 4 plates. Spoon remaining dressing over asparagus and top with egg.