Tarragon Vegetable Broth Recipes

TURBOT POACHED IN TARRAGON BROTH

Steps:

• Have a fishmonger fillet and skin the turbot, then save and chop the bones for you. Rinse bones for 1 hour under cold running water.
• Roughly chop half of the onion, shallots, carrots, leeks, celery and tomatoes. Julienne the remaining onions, shallots and leeks. Thinly slice the remaining carrots and celery. Peel, seed and dice the remaining tomato.
• Fill a stockpot halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add the fish bones and blanch for 2 minutes. Drain, rinse and return them to the pot with 2 quarts water. Boil, lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes.
• Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve, discard the bones and return stock to the pot. Add the roughly chopped vegetables, garlic, white peppercorns and cayenne and bring to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes, skimming the foam off the top. Add the wine and vinegar; simmer 15 minutes more.
• Strain the stock, discarding solids. Return stock to the pan and add 1 1/2 bunches of the tarragon and the rosemary, basil and mint. Cover the pot and set aside to infuse for at least a half-hour.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the remaining vegetables. Cook until just tender, about 3 minutes, then plunge them into cold water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
• Reserve 4 small sprigs of tarragon for garnish and chop the rest. Set aside.
• Season the fish with salt and pepper. Strain the stock, discarding the herbs. In a deep skillet, heat the broth. When just simmering, add the fillets. Cook for 3 minutes; turn and cook until opaque throughout, about 3 more minutes. Remove the fillets and keep warm.
• Add the cooked vegetables to the hot broth and heat them. Swirl in the butter and add the chopped tarragon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the fillets in four soup bowls and spoon the tarragon broth and vegetables over them. Add the tarragon sprigs and serve.

LEEK, POTATO, AND TARRAGON SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add leeks, onion, garlic, and 2 tablespoons water. Cook until leeks are just golden, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes and broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Mix in tarragon. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm before continuing.) Stir in cream and yogurt. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.

TARRAGON VEGETABLE BROTH

Steps:

• Combine carrots, celery, onion, leek, tomato, peppercorns, garlic, and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook for 45 minutes. Add the wine, vinegar, and thyme; cook for 15 minutes more. Remove from heat. Add tarragon, and allow to cool to room temperature. Strain just before using. The broth can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.