Best Chef Johns Dijon Mustard Recipes

DIJON MUSTARD

Steps:

• Soak and refrigerate mustard seeds: In a small plastic container or glass bowl (do not use metal), soak the mustard seeds in 5 1/2 ounces of the distilled white vinegar. Cover and set in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. Soaking allows the mustard seeds to soften and plump up, which will make them break down easier during the blending process.
• Strain the mustard seeds: Using a sieve, strain the mustard seeds, and discard any vinegar. The liquid will be too bitter to use.
• Blend the mustard seeds: Place the strained mustard seeds in a blender. Add the remaining 1 1/2 ounces of distilled white vinegar, white wine, sugar, and salt into the blender as well. Blend at a low setting for 20 seconds, then slowly increase to a high setting and blend for 15 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the blender. The consistency of the mustard will have thickened slightly. Blend at low setting for 15 seconds, slowly increasing to a high setting and blend for 20 to 30 seconds. The consistency will be similar to a thick cake batter. If you prefer a smoother texture, blend for another 20 to 30 seconds at a medium to high setting.
• Chilling and storing the mustard: Transfer the mustard to a glass jar or plastic container and cover and refrigerate for 24 hours. The mustard is quite bitter immediately after blending and needs time for the bitterness to diminish. It will keep for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.

DIJON-STYLE MUSTARD

Steps:

• Soak the mustard seeds: Combine all ingredients in a quart jar or other sealable nonreactive container. Seal and refrigerate overnight, or up to 24 hours, shaking occasionally to distribute.
• Prepare the jars and lids: Wash all jars and lids thoroughly with soap and water and rinse well. Fill your canner with enough water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch and bring to a simmer. Using a pair of canning tongs, lower the jars in gently, tilting them to fill with the hot water. In a small saucepan, keep some water warm but not boiling; place the lids in the water. Have an additional kettle of water on to boil.
• Blend the mustard: Use an immersion blender directly in the jar, or transfer the mix to a blender. Blend until desired level of smoothness.
• Cook down the mustard: Transfer the blended mustard to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced by about a third, thick but still thin enough to pour easily. If the mustard becomes too thick, add water or wine a tablespoon at a time until thin enough to pour.
• Fill and close the jars: Using canning tongs, remove the jars from the canner, carefully pouring the water back into the canner. Set next to the mustard in the saucepan. Turn the heat under the canner to high. Use a ladle to pour the mustard into the jars through a canning funnel, leaving 1/2-inch headspace at the top. Run a clean chopstick around the inside of the jar to dislodge any trapped air. Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp paper towel. Place the lids on, and screw on the rings until just finger-tight.
• Seal the jars: Using canning tongs, gently transfer the jars to the canner, taking care to keep them vertical. When all the jars are in the canner, there should be at least 1 inch of water covering them; if you need more, add water from the kettle until the jars are sufficiently covered. Bring the water to a full rolling boil, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove and cool: Using canning tongs, gently remove the jars from the canner and transfer them to a kitchen towel or cooling rack, again keeping them vertical. Do not set hot jars directly on to cool counter surfaces. Leave to cool, undisturbed, for at least 12 hours. If any of the jars do not seal when cool, reprocess using the method above, or refrigerate and use immediately.
• Label and store: Add a label to the lid or side of your jar, noting the date it was canned. Remove the rings and store jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year. Refrigerate after opening.

DIJON PAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat pan drippings (fond) in their skillet or roasting pan over high heat. Stir mustard into skillet.
• Pour chicken stock into skillet and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook at a boil until sauce has a cream consistency, 2 to 5 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat. Whisk cold butter into sauce until butter is melted and sauce is shiny.

CHEF JOHN'S REMOULADE SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir mayonnaise, cornichons, dill, capers, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl.

CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until well blended; whisk in sugar. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, carrot, onions, and jalapeno and poblano peppers. Refrigerate until macaroni is ready to dress.
• Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain but do not rinse. Allow macaroni to drain in a colander about 5 minutes, shaking out moisture from time to time. Pour macaroni into large bowl; toss to separate and cool to room temperature. Macaroni should be sticky.
• Pour dressing over macaroni and stir until dressing is evenly distributed. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight to allow dressing to absorb into the macaroni.
• Stir salad before serving. Mix 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon water into salad for fresher look.

DIJON ROASTED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a roasting pan.
• Stir olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; add potatoes and toss to coat. Transfer potatoes to prepared roasting pan.
• Roast in preheated oven, turning occasionally, until tender in the middle, 40 to 45 minutes.

THE PERFECT PICNIC PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Whisk in olive oil in 1-teaspoon increments until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon, dill, parsley, chives, and thyme. Remove and reserve 1/2 of the dressing in a separate small bowl.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Add snow peas, carrots, peas, and broccoli about 2 minutes before the pasta is done. Drain pasta and veggies well, but do not rinse.
• Transfer hot pasta mixture to the vinaigrette in the large mixing bowl and toss well to combine. Let rest for 5 minutes and toss again. Toss occasionally until the mixture is almost room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onions, salt, and the reserved dressing and toss well.
• Wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Toss and adjust seasoning before serving.

CHEF JOHN'S SALMON

Steps:

• Season salmon fillets with kosher salt. Line a baking baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with vegetable oil.
• Preheat oven's broiler on high and set the oven rack about 8 inches from the heat source.
• Process garlic, tarragon, and parsley in a blender or mortar and pestle to form a loose paste.
• Mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper into garlic paste until combined.
• Place salmon fillets skin side down on the baking sheet. Spoon herb spread over the top and sides of each fillet.
• Cook under the preheated broiler until fillets are well-browned, about 5 minutes. Turn the broiler off and turn the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake until the internal temperature of the salmon is 130 degrees F (55 degrees C) and salmon flakes easily with a fork, about 3 to 4 minutes.