Tarragon Aioli Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S TARRAGON AIOLI

Steps:

• Crush garlic and salt together in a mortar with a pestle; add tarragon and continue crushing with the pestle until tarragon is pulverized.
• Stir mayonnaise and lemon juice into garlic-tarragon mixture until aioli is smooth; season with cayenne pepper.

TARRAGON AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
• Cut a 10 inch square of alfoil, and place the unpeeled garlic and sprigs of thyme in the centre. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Wrap the alfoil into a snug parcel. Place in the oven and roast for about 40 minutes, or until the garlic is very soft. When testing the garlic for softness, take care as it will be extremely hot.
• Allow garlic to cool, then squeeze the pulp from the skins.
• Fold 2 tablespoons of roasted garlic, and the mustard and tarragon, into mayonnaise.
• Serve with Rare Beef Salad, or char-grilled beef.

COURGETTE FRITTERS WITH TARRAGON AïOLI

Steps:

• First, make the tarragon aïoli. Prepare an ice bath with ice cubes and water in a bowl, ready to refresh the tarragon. Bring a pan of water to the boil and blanch the tarragon for 30 secs. Drain quickly and immediately refresh in the ice-cold water. Squeeze out the excess water, then blitz with the oil in a food processor until you have a green oil. Strain through a sieve to remove some of the bits.
• Put the garlic and egg yolks in a bowl and whisk until the yolks go pale and fluffy. Squeeze in a touch of lemon juice and whisk again, then slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking quickly and continuously, until it starts to thicken. Add a tiny splash of water if it looks like it's going to split. Keep adding the oil until it's all combined into a nice, thick green aïoli. Taste for seasoning and add lemon juice or salt to balance it.
• To make the fritters, toss the courgettes with a large pinch of sea salt and put in a colander set over the sink or a bowl for about 10 mins. Tip into a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess moisture.
• Mix the courgettes with all the other fritter ingredients (except the oil) until well combined. Heat a little rapeseed oil in a non-stick pan and add fritter-sized spoonfuls. Cook until a crust has developed, then flip over with a palette knife or spatula. Keep warm on a plate in the oven until they're all done, then serve with hefty dollops of the aïoli. This is good as a side for fish, or as a snack/starter on a summer day.

CHICKEN, WATERCRESS, AND AVOCADO SANDWICH WITH TARRAGON AïOLI

Steps:

• Whisk mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons oil, tarragon, vinegar, minced garlic, and lemon juice in small bowl to blend well. Season aioli with salt and pepper.
• Place chicken breasts between sheets of waxed paper. Using rolling pin, flatten chicken to even 1/2-inch thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; sauté until brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Cool chicken, then tear into narrow 3-inch strips. Place chicken in bowl. Mix in 3/4 cup aioli; season with salt and pepper (reserve remaining aioli for another use).
• Rub 1 side of each toast slice with cut side of halved garlic. Arrange 4 toasts garlic side up. Top each with 1/4 of watercress, 1 fanned-out avocado half, and 1/4 of chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; top with remaining toasts, garlic side down.

MALT VINEGAR-TARRAGON AIOLI (BOBBY FLAY)

Steps:

• Whisk all ingredients together.
• Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• May be made up to 8 hours in advance.