Incorporate chives into soups, salads, meat dishes and side dishes.
Chives can be used in many dishes as an ingredient or as a colorful garnish. This fresh herb can grow in a pot by a sunny window or in the garden; you can also find fresh chives at your local supermarket. Chives have a taste similar to onions, though much more subtle. They also have a fresh herbal flavor. Many cuisines from around the world incorporate chives into traditional dishes that will inspire you to think beyond baked potatoes, sour cream and chives.
Eggs
Use kitchen scissors to finely snip chives.
Chives add a subtle savory flavor to eggs. Many classic egg dishes feature freshly chopped chives. Cooks top Eggs Benedict, a dish consisting of a poached egg covered in a hollandaise sauce for a proper version of this dish. Chives add color and herbal flavor to the rich dish. Try soft scrambled eggs with chives at home. When whisking the eggs, add 1 tsp. chopped chives before adding to the pan. Serve the scrambled eggs over toast and sprinkle with chives for a garnish.
Soups and Sauces
Sprinkle soups with chives for a touch of color and flavor.
Cooks often incorporate chives into creamy sauces and soups. Top chowders made from potatoes and cream with chives for color and flavor. Make a simple cream sauce from 2/3 cup sour cream, the juice from a lemon, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh chives. Simmer on low and serve over fish or chicken. Mustard- and butter-based sauces also feature fresh chives.
Breads and Crackers
Bakers add chives to breads and crackers for a subtle savory flavor. Try making chive biscuits at home from flour, baking powder, salt, butter, cream and chopped fresh chives. Another way to pair chives with bread and crackers is with chive butter. Mix together 1 stick of softened butter with 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread over bread and crackers. You can also use this butter over steamed vegetables or a grilled piece of meat.
Salads
Many salad recipes call for fresh chives. Use chives in salads to substitute for onions if you find the taste of yellow or red onions overwhelming. Make a green goddess salad dressing from chives, yogurt, salt, lemon and other fresh herbs such as parsley. Add some color to otherwise dull potato salad by adding 1/4 cup freshly chopped chives. Make a lemon, chive dressing from lemon juice, Dijon mustard and olive oil. Stir in snipped chives. Serve over turkey, bacon and spinach salad.
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