White Beans With Tarragon Recipes

WHITE BEANS WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Soak beans covered by 2" of water for at least twelve hours, adding water if needed; drain and rinse.
• Put beans in a soup pot with water to cover; add peppercorns, loosely, inside a single-layer cheesecloth bag or inside a tea strainer; bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes; skim foam from the top.
• Lower heat and simmer beans, uncovered until beans are tender but not mushy, 2-2 1/4 hours; add water during cooking to keep beans covered.
• Reserve 1/4 cup cooking liquid; drain beans and return to pot or serving bowl; add olive oil, reserved cooking liquid, coarse salt, white pepper and tarragon, mixing well.
• Serve hot or room temperature; drizzle with more oil, if desired.

WHITE-BEAN-AND-SHRIMP SALAD WITH TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the salad, place the beans, water, thyme, bay leaf and garlic in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the beans are tender but not mushy, about 45 minutes. Drain and remove thyme, bay leaf and garlic. Place in a large bowl and set aside until cool. Toss in the shrimp, fennel, salt and pepper.
• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together all ingredients. Toss with the salad. Divide among 4 plates, garnish with the chives and serve.

WHITE BEAN AND ASPARAGUS SALAD WITH TARRAGON-LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• If using canned beans, drain and rinse. If using dried beans, soak in plenty of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and transfer to a medium pot. Cover beans by 2 inches with water and add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the bay leaves. Simmer until just tender but not at all mushy, about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, depending upon what kind of beans you're using. Drain.
• Break off tough ends of the asparagus. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a bowl with ice and cold water. Blanch trimmed asparagus for 1 1/2 minutes, or until just cooked through but still firm, then plunge them into the ice bath. Let sit for 5 minutes, then drain. Pat dry and slice diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In a blender or food processor, combine tarragon, lemon zest, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, the black pepper and the lemon juice, and process until garlic is chopped. Pour in olive oil. Process until mixture is well blended and bright green, about 1 minute.
• In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together beans, asparagus and dressing. Taste and add more lemon juice and salt if needed.