chives

An herb which resembles hollow blades of grass, and the smallest member of the onion family. Chives have a mild onion flavor. Their distinctive smell and taste is derived from a volatile oil, rich in sulphur and common to the onion family, but milder and more subtle in chives. Referred to only in the plural, because they grow in clumps rather than alone.

plural: chives

Ingredient

Season: available year-round

How to select: Look for slender green chives with a uniform green color and no signs of wilting or browning.

How to store: Store in plastic in the refrigerator for up to a week.

How to prepare: Often snipped and sprinkled on food just before serving for seasoning.

Matches well with: eggs, fish, potatoes, salads, shellfish, sole, soups

Substitutions: 1 tsp chopped green onion tops = 1 tbsp chopped chives