Tarragon's Perfect Cheese Partners: A Flavor Guide

Tarragon is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, from casseroles to pasta sauces. When it comes to cheese, tarragon is often paired with goat's cheese, as in the French cheese Fleur Vert, which is coated with fresh tarragon and pink peppercorns. It also goes well with cream cheese, Swiss cheese, and Parmesan, as seen in recipes for chicken lasagna, chicken in tarragon cheese sauce, and fettuccine with mushrooms and tarragon. Tarragon is also used in a Taleggio and tarragon cauliflower cheese recipe, showcasing its versatility in pairing with different types of cheese.

Tarragon chicken mac and cheese

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups macaroni (uncooked)
• 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 6 ounces of Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 4 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 cup cracker or bread crumbs (Ritz cracker crumbs work well)
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Pinch of cracked black pepper

Method

Start by cooking the macaroni to al dente in salted water. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and then grill or pan-fry in olive oil. Cook the chicken thoroughly, then set it aside to rest for a few minutes before cutting the breasts into quarter-inch slices. You can dice it if you prefer.

To prepare the sauce for the mac 'n' cheese, scald the milk and chicken stock in the microwave until almost boiling. In a large saucepan, cook the butter, flour, pepper, salt, and garlic over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is slightly foamy. Whisking constantly, slowly pour in the scalded milk and stock in three equal portions. Continue to cook and stir if necessary, until the sauce thickens.

To construct the dish, stir in the Dijon mustard and tarragon. Grate the cheeses and blend them all together. Butter an 8-10 cup casserole dish. Place 1/3 of the pasta in the bottom of the dish and cover with half the chicken slices. Pour 1/3 of the sauce on top. Repeat the layers, ending with cheese on top.

To prepare the topping, simply mix together the cracker crumbs, melted butter, and pepper. Cover the casserole dish and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

If you double this recipe, add additional baking time for a larger casserole dish.

Variations

Tarragon and goat's cheese

Tarragon is a herb that pairs well with goat cheese. Here are some recipe ideas that combine the two:

Chicken with Goat Cheese and Tarragon

This recipe involves stuffing goat cheese and tarragon into chicken breasts and baking them in the oven. It's a simple and speedy dish that can serve a crowd. Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• Skinless chicken breast fillets
• Fresh tarragon
• Soft goat's cheese
• Vine-ripened tomatoes
• Olive oil

Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Tarragon Tart

This recipe is a gorgeous asparagus-striped tart that is simple yet stunning. It's perfect for entertaining guests. Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• Soft goat cheese
• Puff pastry
• Egg
• Garlic
• Fresh tarragon leaves
• Lemon zest
• Nutmeg
• Crème fraîche
• Asparagus
• Parmesan
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Taleggio and Tarragon Cauliflower Cheese

This is an extra-indulgent take on cauliflower cheese, featuring three different cheeses and tarragon. It's a perfect side dish for a Christmas feast. Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Bay
• Cheddar
• Parmesan
• Taleggio
• Fresh tarragon leaves
• Cauliflower

Tarragon Chicken Mac and Cheese

This is a delicious casserole twist on the classic mac and cheese. It incorporates cooked chicken breasts and fresh tarragon. Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• Macaroni
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Swiss cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Dijon mustard
• Fresh tarragon
• Crackers or bread crumbs
• Butter

Fleur Vert

Fleur Vert is a French goat's milk cheese coated with fresh tarragon and pink peppercorns. It is light and fluffy like a mousse cake and can be served with crusty French bread and a crisp Sancerre.

Chicken tarragon lasagna

Tarragon is a versatile herb that pairs well with various cheeses, and you can use it to create delicious dishes like Chicken Tarragon Lasagna. Here is a recipe for Chicken Tarragon Lasagna that serves 6 people:

Ingredients:

• 6 uncooked lasagna noodles (6 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (4 ounces)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 1 cup ready-to-serve chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 ounces)
• 1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
• 1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit. Grease a rectangular baking dish (approximately 11 x 7 x 1 1/2 inches).
• Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions and set them aside.
• Melt the butter or margarine in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and onion, cooking until they are tender.
• Stir in the chicken broth, 1 tablespoon of tarragon, and season with salt and pepper. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
• Add the cream cheese and Swiss cheese to the skillet, stirring until they are melted and well combined.
• Stir in the diced cooked chicken and pimientos.
• Cut the lasagna noodles crosswise in half. In the greased baking dish, arrange 6 pieces of the noodles, overlapping their edges.
• Spread half of the sauce over the noodles. Repeat the layers of noodles and sauce, creating two layers.
• Cover the baking dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lasagna is hot in the center and bubbly around the edges.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of tarragon on top and let the lasagna stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

Tarragon and cheese are a delightful combination, and you can experiment with different types of cheese in this recipe, such as Swiss cheese, Parmesan, or even a mix of cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and taleggio. Additionally, you can try marinating chicken with tarragon, lemon, and olive oil before incorporating it into the lasagna for an extra burst of flavor.

Tarragon and cauliflower cheese

Tarragon is a herb that pairs well with several cheeses, including Swiss cheese, Parmesan, and cheddar. A unique cheese that incorporates tarragon is the Fleur Vert from France, which is a flower-shaped wheel of Loire Valley goat's milk cheese coated with fresh tarragon and pink peppercorns. It is light and fluffy and is best served with crusty French bread.

Taleggio & Tarragon Cauliflower Cheese

This recipe serves 4 and takes about an hour to make. It is a great side dish for a Christmas feast or any other special occasion.

Ingredients:

• 150g cheddar, grated
• 50g Parmesan or similar, finely grated
• 75g Cooleeney (or Taleggio or Brie), sliced
• 5g tarragon, leaves picked, half chopped, half left whole
• 1 cauliflower, broken into florets
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
• Melt butter in a heavy-based pan, then stir in flour to make a paste.
• Cook for a few minutes, then gradually add milk, stirring continuously, until you have a smooth sauce. Season.
• Add the bay leaf, cheddar, Parmesan, half the Taleggio, and the whole tarragon leaves.
• Heat gently, stirring continuously, for 6-8 minutes or until the cheeses have melted and the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and leave to infuse.
• Cook the cauliflower florets in a steamer for 8-10 minutes or until just tender.
• Put the cauliflower into a baking dish. Add the chopped tarragon to the sauce and pour over the cauliflower.
• Dot with the remaining Taleggio and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.

You can also experiment with different cheeses in this recipe, such as Brie or Swiss cheese, to find your favourite combination.

Chicken tarragon cheese sauce

Tarragon is a fragrant herb with a subtle anise-like taste. It pairs well with chicken and creamy sauces. Here is a recipe for Chicken Tarragon Cheese Sauce, followed by some serving suggestions.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 3 tbsp chopped shallots
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Fresh lemon juice, to taste (optional)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup Swiss cheese
• 1 cup cracker or bread crumbs (Ritz cracker crumbs work well)
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• Pinch of cracked black pepper

Method:

Start by cooking 2 1/2 cups of macaroni to al dente in salted water. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill or pan-fry in olive oil until golden brown. Set the chicken aside to rest for a few minutes before cutting into quarter-inch slices.

To make the cheese sauce, melt butter in a pan until foaming, then stir in flour to make a thick paste. Cook for a few minutes until it smells nutty. Gradually add milk, a splash at a time, stirring continuously until you have a smooth, glossy sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in bay leaves, cheddar, Parmesan, and taleggio cheeses, and half the tarragon. Heat gently, stirring continuously, until all the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened.

To assemble the dish, place a third of the pasta in a buttered casserole dish and cover with half the chicken slices. Pour a third of the sauce over the chicken. Repeat the layers, ending with cheese on top.

For the topping, mix cracker crumbs, melted butter, and pepper. Cover the casserole dish and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Serving Suggestions:

This Chicken Tarragon Cheese Sauce can be served with mashed potatoes or pasta. It also goes well with a simple salad, such as butter lettuce or fennel. For a heartier meal, serve it with roasted garlic mashed potatoes or crispy shallot mashed potatoes. A loaf of crusty bread is also recommended to soak up the sauce.

Frequently asked questions