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August 12, 2007
Tarragon
We can't seem to find tarragon. It's not at either of the grocery stores near us. I'm sure it's at Whole Foods but that's a long way away and I don't get there much anymore, now that they have decent organics at our local supermarket. I love tarragon, and it's quite annoying to be on the verge of a tarragon crisis, as the spice jar gets emptier with every passing day.
Last night I made a fun dish with tarragon. It was hot so I didn't want it to be a piping hot dinner. I put down a layer of thinly sliced eggplant on a plate, topped it with Quorn tenders and eggwhites, and steamed it to get out the bitterness in the eggplant. Then I covered the plate with diced cucumbers, grape tomatoes, and yellow squash. Covered the entire thing with tarragon vinegar, tarragon, dill, and a dash of garlic powder. Served cold, but the hot stuff on the bottom of the plate lightly steamed the veggies on top. It was different, but MR loved it.
Cucumbers in tarragon vinegar are always a winner.
This is not the first time I've had tarragon issues. When I was in college, you couldn't get tarragon anywhere nearby. The grocery store in downtown New Haven was horrible, and I survived by shopping the little Korean produce market around the corner from my apartment. But no tarragon. So my dad decided to send me a small packet of tarragon from Greensboro, NC, a civilized place with herbs and spices.
He put the packet of tarragon in the same envelope with a check for my semester's tuition.
Now, I went to Yale on a huge amount of financial aid, and took out the full maximum in federal student loans. So that wasn't quite the gargantuan amount of money it might have been. But still, it was a pretty big check.
The check didn't come. And didn't come. For weeks. Finally dad wrote me a new one, cancelled the old one. The new check arrived appropriately on time.
About two months later, I got an envelope in my mail box that had been torn apart and then taped back together. There it was: the check, and a small packet of tarragon. Clearly, it had been searched by the postal service.
Dudes, it's just tarragon. Try it on a chicken salad. You won't get high, but you may discover a thrilling new taste!
Posted by april at August 12, 2007 5:47 AM
Comments
Surprising that you can't find tarragon! I have a huge tarragon plant that astonishingly came back this year through no effort of mine. I don't even like the stuff...too bad it's in my back yard instead of your kitchen.
Posted by: Stepha at August 12, 2007 8:14 AM
Funny story. i just put my Tarragon up in my cupboard and I wondered..yet again..when I was ever going to use it. Obviously I need a a few more lessons in the kitchen. Maybe next week when I'm all unpacked! I need a thrill ;-D
Posted by: Deborah at August 12, 2007 9:37 AM
I'd happily send you mine (since, like cilantro, tarragon is something I don't like) but it's so OLD that I'd be too embarrassed! Whenever a recipe calls for either of those two herbs, I cut the amount down to 1/4 of the amount called for and even then, it's often more than I'd like. Basil & oregano, OTOH, I adore. I have 3 large basil plants growing in a pot on my deck. Pesto, anyone? JD
Posted by: Judith at August 12, 2007 1:04 PM