Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Tarragon~My New Herb Love

Y'all will probably laugh, but until a few weeks ago, I never tried using fresh tarragon.

Now, my old favorite chicken salad has tarragon added. Yum! 

I wanted a French tarragon plant, but what I found at the garden centers was Mexican tarragon. 

According to the Bonnie Plants info..click here, Mexican tarragon is a good substitute for French tarragon, and it grows well in warm climates. Maybe that's why I couldn't find the French kind...too hot for it here...Ya think?

Here's my chicken salad recipe...it's really basic:

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
I bake mine in the oven. Sometimes, if I'm in a hurry, I use rotisserie chicken. 
1 stalk celery, chopped
Mayonnaise of your choice...about a half cup, or the amount that makes the consistency you like.
1 cup seedless red or green grapes cut in half. 
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves, and extra for garnish.
Serve on a bed of Spring greens.

Another way I've started using tarragon, is tarragon wine vinegar.

I tried a couple of brands, but Maitre Jacques is the brand I like best. And, I'm not compensated for mentioning it. :)

 I just sprinkle a little of the tarragon wine vinegar on sliced English cucumbers, add a sprinkle of sea salt and a little black pepper...and decorate with a few sprigs of tarragon and a pesticide-free flower...if I have one. :)

There you are...the only two recipes I have for using tarragon, but if y'all have a favorite recipe, I'd love to try it. 

xo 
Babs

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15 comments:

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Hi Babs! Well I have grown the same old herbs for years and never thought of adding Tarragon. I think I just might go see if I can find some...your chicken salad looks divine!

Cranberry Morning said...

That looks delicious! And oh, those English cucumbers. So tasty! I'll have to go pick up a tarragon plant from the nursery. So far I've only got rosemary, basil, oregano, and chives. So glad you posted about tarragon!

Denise said...

Hi Babs,

I love tarragon!! My MIL puts it in her homemade chicken noodle soup, and it really is delicious. Your chicken salad looks and sounds wonderful. I also like the addition of red grapes to chicken salad -- yours looks like a real winner! :) Thanks for sharing your recipe and enjoy your new tarragon plant.

Hugs,

Denise at Forest Manor

Kelly said...

I don't think I've ever used fresh terragon either. It looks good. I love chicken salad. We're growing cucumbers this year. Maybe I should consider using them in more ways other than just salads.

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Babs, out of all of the herbs I've grown, I don't think I've ever used tarragon, either. I may need to add it to my herb garden. The chicken salad sounds delicious!

Sarah said...

We use tarragon frequently. Your chicken salad looks delicious.

Pat said...

Babs,
The chicken salad looks simply divine, dear friend!!! "Mr.Ed" loves his cucumbers and onions just that way, too!!!
Tarragon is one of the bitter herbs, I prefer those that are sweet. I agree, finding French Tarragon is difficult. I did grow some on the other side of the Prairie and it was purchased at a greenhouse in Leroy, KS. Now, if I can keep "Pee Wee" (the Resident Rabbit) out of the Flat Leaf Parsley. . .I just might add some to my next salad!!!
Fondly,
Pat
P.S. Your sweet comment and visit blessed my heart today! Thank you!!!

Pondside said...

One of these days I am going to make a chicken salad like that - it must be a southern thing, as I've never had it up here. It just sounds delicious.

Debbie said...

Love tarragon vinegar. I used to grow tarragon, but I haven't in recent years. (That's because the drought made even my herb gardening grow smaller and smaller. I need to revisit it.

And I NEED to try it in a chicken salad for sure.

The French Hutch said...

Tarragon is a great addition to recipes. Your chicken salad looks delicious, yum! Think I need to make a new batch. Like you, I bake my chicken. Always moist and tender. I haven’t used this vinegar but I’ve added it to my must try list.
Have a wonderful weekend Babs. I hope the rain lets up here soon.........

Anonymous said...

This is my first visit to your blog. I'm visiting from Home and Garden Thursday.

I love the flavor of tarragon!! When we lived in Florida, there was a restaurant we used to like to frequent. They made a soup called Chicken Velvet. What a perfect name for such creamy deliciousness. Tarragon was/is the main seasoning in it.

This past November, my daughter and I took a trip "home," and visiting that restaurant was one of our musts. We were thrilled to discover that the restaurant is still there, that they still make chicken velvet, and that it is as delicious as we remember it being.

I love love love chicken salad, so I will have to try adding fresh tarragon to mine. Oh, and those cucumbers sound and look divine.

Blessings,
Patti

Donna said...

Mmmmm, my mouth is watering! Your chicken salad looks great. I like to use tarragon in mine, too.
I love using fresh herbs whenever I can.

Alycia Nichols said...

I made tarragon chicken salad for my Mom's 85th birthday luncheon in March, and it was a hit. That was MY first time using the fresh, too. I bought a French tarragon plant earlier this week and have planted it along with a few other herbs. I was surprised at just how many varieties of tarragon there are!!!

I'll give the cucumbers w/tarragon a try. Ramon is a big cucumber lover, so it may be something he'll really like. Easy salad for summer!

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

I just love tarragon, especially with chicken. I do have it in my herb garden, and I also was amazed how many different types of tarragon there is. the more to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by my post on determinate/indeterminate tomatoes. Have a great weekend!

Kathy said...

I grow Tarragon in my garden too - LOVE IT! I do appreicate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy