I was 11 years old when I first sunk my teeth into the tarragon chicken salad sandwich at a local Vancouver sandwich shop. I don’t know if the shop still exists or, if they do, whether or not that chicken salad is still on their menu, but it will live on in my bank of food memories for years to come. My dad, our family’s own sandwich Michelangelo (seriously, the guy can build a mean sandwich), decided to take my mum and me out for lunch at a sandwich shop near his office. When I ordered the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, I didn’t actually know what tarragon was. Nor did I care. I loved mayonnaise (still do) and the only thing that mattered to me was that the chicken salad being heaved onto my sandwich with an ice cream scoop was laden with the creamy goodness. Then I took a bite. Creamy goodness…check. Fresh, tender chicken…check. Fresh licorice, herbal taste…huh? Of course, it was the tarragon. I was hooked.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil and then add the salmon, skin side down.
Cook until the salmon is cooked almost all the way through, about 4-5 minutes. Flip the salmon and cook for about 2 more minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through. Place the salmon on a plate and set aside.
Pour the excess oil out of the pan and place the pan back on the stove, over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Once the butter melts, add 3 tablespoons of chopped shallots and squeeze in the juice of 1/2 large lemon.
Add 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, season the sauce with salt and pepper, and cook for 1 minute.
Plate the salmon, spoon the sauce over each piece, and serve immediately.
Mixing Bowl Mama says
Aug 11, 2009 at 11:40 amHow great, that at 11 you were ordering chicken sandwiches instead of "kid food"..and yum…this salmon looks really great. I LOVE tarragon but I find I don't use it as often as I should either.
Angie's Recipes says
Aug 11, 2009 at 12:28 pmDrooling all over my keyboard…
I have to mark this recipe!
Angie's Recipes
Bellini Valli says
Aug 11, 2009 at 12:55 pmI always grew tarragon in my garden.
Miranda says
Aug 11, 2009 at 1:09 pmCC, this is another wonderful recipe. I love salmon and this combo looks terrific.
Congrats at Top 9! You deserve it!!!
Alta says
Aug 11, 2009 at 1:20 pmI love tarragon. Don't buy it often enough. This sounds wonderful…and that salmon looks gorgeous!
citronetvanille says
Aug 11, 2009 at 2:17 pmBeautiful picture, salmon looks perfect, grilled on the outside and moist in the middle!
Cooking Mama says
Aug 11, 2009 at 3:06 pmI LOVE salmon. Looks really nice!
Jessie says
Aug 11, 2009 at 4:32 pmwow if you served this at a party, your guest are going to think it's a fancy meal! I love that it's elegant but simple at the same time.
doggybloggy says
Aug 11, 2009 at 4:32 pmtarragon – nice tip – your salmon looks so rich and red….what a delicious recipe!
Jenn says
Aug 11, 2009 at 6:23 pmDelicious salmon. Looks perfectly cooked. I'm intrigued by the shallot butter sauce. I must try that next time.
Laura says
Aug 11, 2009 at 6:38 pmThis looks delicious. The salmon looks picture perfect. LOL.
I usually go with rosemary but tarragon sound interesting. Thanks.
Cookin' Canuck says
Aug 11, 2009 at 6:48 pmThanks for all of your comments on the photo and the recipe.
DoggyBloggy, you can't beat sockeye salmon for that rich color!
Laura, I love rosemary, too. However, tarragon really offers a different flavor (I tend to use rosemary a lot) that compliments the salmon beautifully.
HannahBanana aka Amanda says
Aug 11, 2009 at 6:48 pmThe perfect salmon dish! I never use tarragon, I don't know why cause I love it. Bookmarking this!
Confession Nook says
Aug 11, 2009 at 7:05 pmwow..perfectly cooked with that brown crust..and i think..i must use tarragon as often as i should..=)
acdee-confession nook
My Man's Belly says
Aug 11, 2009 at 7:16 pmThis looks fantastic. Tarragon has become my latest obsession herb. I finally got it to grow in my garden.
Kalyn says
Aug 11, 2009 at 8:09 pmSo glad you found a good use for some of the tarragon! There is always more where that came from. Tarragon literally grows like a weed, and it only takes a little for that wonderful tarragon flavor. I just tried it for the first time a few years ago, and I've been hooked ever since.
Chef Fresco says
Aug 12, 2009 at 12:56 amThat salmon looks soo good! I like your combo of flavors 🙂
Sweet and Savory says
Aug 12, 2009 at 6:05 amI have been making a new salmon recipe, each week. I just printed this up to make for this week.
It sounds scrumptious.
CheapAppetite says
Aug 12, 2009 at 6:35 amThis looks really great cookin' canuck. Nice healthy dish. What's the sandwich shop in Vancouver name? I want to check it out:)
Cheers,
Tana
Divina Pe, RHN says
Aug 12, 2009 at 8:32 amThose salmon looks so fresh and I know, I just know it's really good. Thanks for posting.
Divina Pe, RHN says
Aug 12, 2009 at 8:32 amThose salmon looks so fresh and I know, I just know it's really good. Thanks for posting.
Arabic Bites says
Aug 12, 2009 at 11:53 amThis looks yummy and easy!
Great recipe..
Rebecca says
Aug 12, 2009 at 2:32 pmyum! i love salmon and i love tarragon…sounds like a perfect pair:)
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Crystal says
Aug 28, 2009 at 11:56 amWe're having salmon for supper tonight so I think I'll try this one. Thanks!
Michelle says
Oct 4, 2009 at 6:13 pmI was looking for a new way to do salmon tonight and this looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing here and at Tasty Kitchen!