Tarragon Cheese Loaf Recipes

CHEESE-STUFFED MINI MEAT LOAVES

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, stir bread crumbs and 1 cup of the cooking sauce until well mixed; let stand 5 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, cut twelve 1/2-inch pieces from cheese sticks (store remaining portion of cheese stick for another use). Set aside. Add beef, egg, green onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to bread crumb mixture until well mixed.
• 3. Spray 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray. Divide beef mixture evenly among cups (cups will be very full). Push 1 piece of cheese into center of each loaf. Place muffin pan on cookie sheet to catch any spillover. Bake about 30 minutes or until thermometer inserted in center of loaves in middle of muffin pan reads 160 degrees F (outer loaves will be done sooner).
• 4. Meanwhile, heat remaining sauce until hot. Immediately remove loaves from muffin pan; spoon heated sauce over loaves.
• *Regular mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, can be substituted.

TARRAGON MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, mix the beef and pork and gently knead them together with your hands. Add the paprika, salt and pepper. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix to blend.
• The taste test: Heat a small saucepan and add the vegetable oil. When the oil begins to smoke, lower the heat and add a small piece of the mixture. Cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and taste. Check seasoning. If too moist, add more bread crumbs. If too dry, add an extra egg.
• Mold the meat into a loaf and place it in the center of a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a pan without high edges will yield a meatloaf with a crust. Cook, undisturbed, for 15 minutes. Brush it with additional ketchup and lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Bake until the meat is firm when touched or when it has an internal temperature of 150 degrees F, about 45 additional minutes. Remove from the oven, pour off any excess grease and allow it to "rest" for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Brush again with ketchup, if desired.

ASPARAGUS GOAT CHEESE TART WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry into a 16-inch square and fit into an 11-inch tart pan with a removable fluted rim. Roll a rolling pin over top of tart to trim pastry flush with top of rim. Chill pastry shell while making filling.
• Preheat oven to 425°F. with a baking sheet on lowest rack.
• In a small skillet, cook scallions in butter with salt to taste over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute, and cool.
• In a steamer set over boiling water, arrange asparagus slices and top with reserved tips. Steam asparagus, covered, until crisp-tender, about 2 to 3 minutes, and drain well, reserving tips separately.
• In a blender, blend eggs, goat cheese, milk, and salt with pepper to taste. Add tarragon and pulse custard to combine.
• Spread scallions and asparagus slices in pastry shell and arrange reserved tips decoratively on top. Pour custard slowly over vegetables.
• Bake tart in pan on heated baking sheet in oven 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 375°F. and bake tart until set, about 8 minutes. Transfer tart in pan to a rack.
• Remove rim of pan and serve tart warm or at room temperature.

TARRAGON AND THYME QUICHE

Steps:

• Line the pie crust (I like graham cracker crust best, gives the quiche a slightly sweet flavor) with the smoked cheese. Other cheeses can be used, but the smoked cheeses, whatever type, gives the quiche a superior flavor over that of plain cheeses.
• If you like your vegetables a bit less crunchy, lightly saute the onions, bell peppers, and celery.
• Mix all ingredients except meat together and pour into pie shell.
• Sprinkle with meat.
• Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes for a 9-inch pie shell, or 60 to 75 minutes for a 10-inch pie shell, turning quiche one-half turn halfway through cooking, or until egg in center is set.
• Remove tinfoil and broil 2 to 5 minutes until lightly browned on top (this is just for appearance).