In this article, learn about the nutrition, benefits, and uses of chives. Feed with a general granular plant food each spring. Cutting them back will create a new batch of bright green leaves. Chives are in season in spring and summer. And of course, chives are delicious blended into cream cheese to spread over homemade bagels. The current obsession with ramps, those wild leeks that go for a premium in farmers' markets and gourmet food stores, had me thinking about my own favorite garlick-y, leek-y vegetable: Chinese chives, or jiu cai. Any tender herb or green can be used in this riff on a traditional Georgian spring dish, but cilantro and dill make an exceptional, traditional pairing. When the oil just starts to smoke, add the yellow chives. Cynthia says: May 10, 2020 at 2:40 am Chive blossoms are wonderful! Yellow Chives (gau wong): Yellow chives are garlic chives that have been grown under cover, without any exposure to direct sunlight.This prevents the leaves from turning green, as the plant’s chlorophyll-absorbing molecules never kick into action. Keeping your chive plant snipped back will cut down on the dried, yellow stems from overtaking the entire clump. Chives are easy to grow. Just don't skip the chives! It's got the rich part—a creamy tahini dressing that's so thick it anchors the greens. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Fresh Chive Vinaigrette(Credit: Hirsheimer & Hamilton). Chives need to be divided every two to three years. The classic pairing of chives with sour cream as toppers for baked potatoes is classic for a reason. This late-night snack, popular in outdoor kiosks across Poland, is an Eastern European cousin to French-bread pizza, built on a savory base of sautéed mushrooms. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. The Creamy Chive Sauce is like a more-delicious version of tartar sauce—and pairs perfectly with any type of fish. A kicky chile-lime dressing wakes up your weeknight salmon. You can begin harvesting the chives when the leaves grow large enough to be clipped and used. When to Harvest Chives. Plants may become congested over time and need rejuvenating every 3 to 5 years. Don't want fried potatoes? Fill a one-quart jar about 1/2 full of white vinegar. I have frozen them in long stems and snipped them into the foods as needed or you can snip them before freezing in a freezer proof bag. If you want a variation on this, add sour cream and chives next time you make mashed potatoes. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin. Chives need to be divided every two to three years. Remove the pan from the stove and taste the chives. Yes, you can eat pie for breakfast. Garlic-Chive Baked Fries. Chives work just as well on a pot of creamy, tender ones. Cutting them in early morning is the best time, to retain their natural flavors. As long as it's loaded with asparagus and spring onions (and topped with chives!). The blossoms will fade to white and the vinegar will become a shockingly pink color. Get Recipe. Chives have a stunning purple blossom that offers a culinary treat that will become a fantastic treat for any food lover. It's debatable, but we do know that this is a healthyish wedge salad we'd happily eat every day. 8 / 25. Fresh chives are widely available from supermarkets and garden centres. Simply mix softened butter with anything that sounds good to you, like fresh herbs, zest, cheese, hot peppers, etc., considering what you might use it on. It's got the crunchy stuff—seeds and coarse salt. Chive blossom butter is as easy as softened butter with enough chive blossoms, again plucked from the main flower base, to make the butter a blushing pale pink. Chives are so versatile that they can be an inspiration for countless projects and money-making, money-saving adventures. How to Cook With Chives . Miso Butter with Chives This savory compound butter adds a hit of rich, nutty, sweet, salty flavor to everything from grilled meats and fish to roasted vegetables. Chives keep their lovely green color when cooked so they make a fancy addition to butter for an aromatic blended topping for corn on the cob, pasta dishes, corned beef or garlic bread. The primary flavor of chives is onion with a slight garlicky note. Potato-Bean Salad with Herb Dressing. Do what you will; we don’t judge. tall. Chives are toxic whether or not they have been cooked, are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, and are broken down into extremely reactive oxidants. Chives, scientific name Allium schoenoprasum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae that produces edible leaves and flowers. Chives add an essential delicate bite to this creamy mushroom soup—feel free to top your bowl with copious amounts of them. Epicurious may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Heat pan. : 1 small head of Chinese cabbage, 1tsp salt, 1/2 lb of lean ground pork or chicken, 1/3 lb garlic chives (not the ornamental garlic chive), seasonings: 2tbs soy sauce, 1 1/2 tbs toasted sesame oil, 1 tb rice wine, 1 1/2 tbs minced fresh ginger, dumpling/wonton skins, 1 tbs cornstarch. Remove the purple flowers from the tops of the chives before drying as they do not tend to dry well. We make Chinese New Year Dumplings with chives! That doesn't mean you can't make this decadent side any time of year. The taste fades rapidly. Iceberg who? Will make you pause before making a sour cream–based onion dip ever again. People take chive to expel parasitic worms and to reduce the risk of cancer. Allow the butter to soften at room temperature. Chives do not require a lot of preparation since they are often used raw, fresh, and as a garnish. These are simply the chive leaves that have finished their growing cycle. Chilling it in the freezer for 20 minutes makes it easier to dice. Top this creamy and slightly-sweet vegetable tart with piles and piles of herbs—and don't skimp on the chives for extra subtle, oniony bite. Chives should be cut at the base, not high up in the leaves themselves. Everyone seems to know someone else who grows chives but other than snipping onto baked potatoes, Chives never seem to get used to their total potential. A little goes a long way, too—you don't typically need a lot to make a flavorful impact. This recipe boasts all the beauty of a creamy onion dip with the irresistible appeal of queso. That means they're mild enough to … Though Chinese chives resemble the more recognizable chives … Toss leftover stuffing into a big pan with sautéed rice, eggs, mushrooms, and kale for a glorious carb-on-carb send-off to the rest of your post-Thanksgiving stash. I have an over abundance of chives on my patio and was wondering if anyone had a suggestion to use them-in bulk. Spoon out capers. Selecting chives is … I know they go well with eggs and added to soups, etc...but I'm really looking for a recipe in which I can use a lot at one time. Step aside, cornbread. Just when we thought there were no new ways to cook an egg, along came these adorable little vessels that yield soft-boiled meals in a cup. You simply dig up the entire clump of chives in early spring, chop it into two or three pieces with a shovel and replant each one separately. Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Anna Stockwell, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson, Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Dawn Perry, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton, Photo by Tara Donne, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi, Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Ali Nardi, Charles Masters, food styling by Chelsea Zimmer, Tomato Toast with Chives and Sesame Seeds, Bibb Lettuce, Chicken, and Cherry Salad With Creamy Horseradish Dressing, Homemade Cheese Spread with Garlic and Herbs, Creamed Dried Sweet Corn with Onion and Chives, Seared Scallops With Brown Butter and Lemon Pan Sauce, Salmon with Hot Sauce Vinaigrette and Pickled Veg, Baked Three-Cheese Onion Dip with Chive and Pepperoncini, Twice-Baked Butternut Squash With Parmesan Cream and Candied Bacon, Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad with Herbs and Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Chive Pesto, One-Skillet Hot Sausage and Cabbage Stir-Fry with Chives, Classic Tomato Toast with Mayonnaise and Chives, Polish-Style Pizza with Mushrooms and Chives (Zapiekanka), Slow Cooker Miso-Butter Roast Chicken and Potatoes, Savoy Cabbage Wedges with Buttermilk Dressing, Butter-Braised Spring Onions with Lots of Chives, Savory Spring Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart, Soft Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Ricotta and Chives, Fennel-Rubbed Leg of Lamb with Carrots and Salsa Verde, Mustard Aioli-Grilled Potatoes with Fines Herbes. Chives make a beautiful garnish when scattered over steamed vegetables, fresh salads or summery pasta dishes like pasta primavera. I have a bunch of them blooming in the garden. A true Southerner wouldn’t dare add sugar to this cornbread recipe, but a Yankee might miss it. Dried chive flowers are wonderful in an everlasting bouquet and keep much of their purple color. If the gravy isn’t solidified, the mayo will be runny. Scallions also work well if you do not have chives on hand. Toss the first juicy, sweet cherries of the season into this salad, along with rotisserie chicken and a vibrant creamy horseradish dressing. To store them for winter use, you must not dry them. This ensures a fresh start for more chives. Cover and chill it. To take this to a traditional wedge salad place, grill some thick-cut bacon and crumble it over the top. 2. Share your favorite way to enjoy them! Baking the potatoes for this recipe is a completely hands-off cooking process that also reduces some of the water content in the spuds, resulting in the easiest and most flavorful mash of all time. When great dips get together, it’s magic. While it may seem that chive plant companions derive much from simply being near the plants, there are other ways chives can be helpful in the garden and home. Chives are cool-season, cold-tolerant perennials that are best planted in early spring for a late spring and early summer harvest. By Lauren. Know when to begin harvesting chives. Quickly stir a few times to coat the chives evenly with oil. This vibrant sauce makes good use of an over abundance of chives. Yes, you do want fries with that—especially these crispy, golden fries, full of garlic flavor and just a little bit of heat. Chives are very easy to look after and need minimal maintenance. Be mindful when planting this herb, as it will take over your garden if the flowers are allowed to develop fully (the flowers scatter the seeds). Ad Choices. Here's a DIY version of the flavored, spreadable Gournay cheese originally from France. Hey Sis! Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. How to care for chives. Chives are such attractive plants it is a shame to keep them in the vegetable garden alone. © 2021 Condé Nast. Chives Basics Chives are related to the garlic, leeks and onions … The vinaigrette can be made 2 days ahead (sans chives). Let the flavors of perfect summer tomatoes shine on this simple-is-best toast. You can substitute braised short rib, pork shoulder, or brisket for the pastrami—if it's fatty and shreddable, it will make a good hash. They are best used as a garnish in a salad or soup. The proper way to keep chives tasting fresh all year long is to freeze them. There is even a variety of chives that tastes like a blend of onion and garlic. If you want to stuff the roast as pictured, ask your butcher for a butterflied leg, not tied. Overview Information Chive is an herb. This is a great do-ahead dressing to have around. 5 Recommended Herbs for Your a Shady Garden. By foodelicious. Toss with salads –Mark Bittman suggests using copious amounts in a chive salad, with soy sauce and toasted sesame oil. There is no set chive plant harvest time. Made from simple canned salmon (nothing fancy! If you would like to try growing herbs inside and do not think you have enough light, try chives at first. These potatoes, grilled with a mustardy aioli (basically, garlic-scented mayonnaise) and served with a scattering of herbs, would be welcome at any dinner, with any main. Think about 2 tablespoons of blossoms per stick of butter, or more if you have them. Keep the soil moist by watering regularly during prolonged dry periods in summer. Start snipping and submerging the blossoms as they open. 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