How to Prepare a Delicious Mustard Tarragon Butter Sauce
A mustard tarragon butter sauce is a flavorful sauce made with a combination of mustard, tarragon, and butter, along with other ingredients that may be included based on the recipe.
This sauce is versatile and can complement various dishes, such as grilled chicken, fish, or vegetables. Adjust the quantities of ingredients to suit your taste preferences, and feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices to customize the sauce further.
Ingredients
Mustard is a condiment made from the seeds of the mustard plant (Brassica juncea or Brassica hirta/Sinapis alba). The mustard plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family, which also includes cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. The seeds are ground into a powder or mixed with liquid to create the familiar mustard paste or sauce that is commonly used in culinary applications. Originating in the city of Dijon in France, Dijon mustard is known for its smooth texture and sharp, tangy flavor. It is often used in salad dressings, marinades, and gourmet sandwiches.
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial herb that is widely used in culinary applications, particularly in French cuisine. It is a sunflower family member (Asteraceae) and is known for its distinctively aromatic leaves. Tarragon has a slightly sweet and anise-like flavor, adding a unique and subtle taste to dishes.
Butter is a dairy product made from milk or cream’s fat and protein components. It is produced by churning or agitating the cream, causing the fat globules to separate from the liquid, known as buttermilk. The remaining solid fat is then further processed and may be salted or left unsalted, depending on the desired end product.
Chicken stock is a liquid preparation made by simmering chicken bones, meat, and aromatic vegetables in water. It is a flavorful and versatile base for soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes. The slow simmering process extracts the flavors, nutrients, and gelatin from the chicken bones, resulting in a rich and savory liquid.
Heavy cream, also known as heavy whipping cream, is a dairy product that is rich in fat. It is made from the high-fat cream skimmed from the top of milk. The fat content in heavy cream is typically around 36% to 40%, making it one of the richest dairy products available.
Vermouth is a fortified wine aromatized with various botanicals, including herbs, spices, roots, and barks. It is commonly used as a key ingredient in cocktails but can also be enjoyed independently. Depending on the type and style, vermouth has a complex flavor profile ranging from sweet to dry.
Some of My Favorite Sauce Recipes
Mustard Tarragon Butter Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons shallots minced
- 8 ounces butter unsalted, divided
- ½ cup dry vermouth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon chopped
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
- Reduce the chicken stock in a saucepan by one half.
- In another pan sauté the shallots in 1 ounce of the butter. Return the remaining butter to the fridge until needed.
- Add the vermouth and reduce to a syrupy consistency.
- Add the cream and reduce by half.
- Add the reduced chicken stock.
- Stir in the tarragon and mustard.
- Lower the heat and whisk in the remaining butter in increments until incorporated.
- Season with salt and white pepper.
