Chives are one of the first herbs to make an appearance in the spring in my garden.
Unlike many other popular herbs, chives are hardy enough to survive Canadian winters, popping up again as soon as the ground begins to thaw.
As you might have guessed from their onion-like flavour, chives are members of the allium family, which also includes onions, shallots, scallions and garlic.
By early June, my chive patch begins to bloom, producing rounded clusters of pale purple flowers. Those whimsical pom-poms aren't just pretty to look at - they're edible too! Sprinkle them onto salads or soups, or infuse them into a fragrant chive blossom vinegar.
And while the blooms are a short-lived treat, the chives themselves can be harvested all spring and summer long. Which is good, because there are so many ways to enjoy them!
Looking to get to know the humble chive a little better? Here are ten delicious options.
Ten Delicious Ways to Enjoy Chives
Infuse Vinegar with Chive Blossoms
Chive blossoms aren't just whimsical pretty purple pom-poms... they're edible, too! You can sprinkle them onto salads or soups as a tasty garnish, or use them to infuse plain white vinegar with bright pink colour and a subtle chive flavour.
Blend Up Some Green Goddess Aioli
Upgrade your homemade aioli with the classic Green Goddess trifecta of fresh chives, parsley and tarragon, and then generously spoon onto fresh salmon patties for a perfect hot-weather meal.
Make Some Chive Butter
There are few things in this world that are better than a crusty baguette spread with good-quality butter, but you can give this simple pleasure an instant upgrade by blending fresh chives into your butter and adding a few thin slices of crispy radish.
Bake Something Egg-cellent
Chives and eggs are a match made in heaven. Sprinkle finely chopped chives onto your scrambled eggs for a luxurious breakfast, stir some into egg salad for sandwiches, or get fancy and bake up this delicious Buttermilk Quiche with Ham, Cheddar and Chives from Kelly Neil.
Whip Them Into Your Mashed Potatoes
The classic pairing of sour cream and chives gives these mashed potatoes from Mighty Mrs an extra something-something. Add a big juicy steak to satisfy even the most hardcore of the meat-and-potatoes brigade.
Shake Up Your Biscuit Game
These flaky biscuits from Tastes of Homemade are flavoured with the classic combination of sharp cheddar and savoury chives. Pair them with your favourite soup or stew.
Throw Together a Quick Dip
This fresh dip from Making Healthy Choices is as easy as can be, with just five ingredients - homemade yogurt cheese, fresh chives, lemon, salt and pepper. And as a bonus, it also doubles as a sandwich spread!
Griddle Up Some Savoury Pancakes
It's a truth universally acknowledged that everybody loves pancakes, especially these savoury pancakes speckled with bacon, cheddar and chives. Add a dollop of sour cream and you've got a serious contender for best breakfast for dinner ever.
Blend Them Into Chive Pesto
You can make pesto with any fresh herb... which means chives are fair game! This pesto from Sidewalk Shoes blends up chives and parsley into a bright green pesto, and then tosses the whole shebang with roasted potatoes for a flavourful side dish.
Toss Them Into a Super-Fresh Salad
This simple vegan salad from Occasionally Eggs combines fresh chives with fresh dill and thinly sliced cucumbers for a super-refreshing side dish. It's proof that monochromatic doesn't necessarily mean boring!
Leave a Reply