Garlic Chives!
Chives are part of the onion family!
Chives
Chives are the smallest and - in terms
of flavor - finest member of the onion family, which
also includes garlic, leek and shallots. It is native to
Asia and Europe, having been known and used in Chinese
Cuisine from over five thousand years ago.
This strongly aromatic herb imparts a
fresh, zesty and yet delicate flavor to many foods. And
they aren't just renowned for their flavor and taste:
the chive plant produces beautiful a globe-shaped
cluster of star-like lavender flowers appreciated for
their ornamental value. Unlike the kitchen variety
onion, it is not the chive's underground bulb that is of
culinary value but it is their flavorful leaves that are
actually harvested.
Turning to their
culinary contributions, chives are an important
ingredient in fines herbs, a blend of herbs used to
season soups, sauces, fish, poultry and egg dishes,
giving them a lively flavor, with just a hint of onion.
Fresh chive leaves may be used as garnish and flavoring
for salads, mashed potatoes, spreads, dips and herbal
butters.
Garlic Chives
There is also another kind of chives,
known the garlic chive, which is found in China and is
used in stir-fried delicacies, and as its name suggests,
imparts a flavor reminiscent of garlic.
Chives also contain nutrients that promote good health,
such as sulphur - which has natural antibiotic
properties and helps promote blood flow - calcium,
phosphorus and several vitamins.
Growing Chives
Another great thing about chives is that
they are easy to grow on your own; chives aren't fussy
and a little care is all they need to thrive. Plant them
in your own backyard, or even grow them inside a pot in
the privacy of your home, and treat yourself to this
healthful and great-tasting herb!
References:
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chives65.html
http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa022398.htm
http://www.gardenguides.com/herbs/chives.htm
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/vegetablesrecipes/a/garlicchives_2.htm
“The Herb Garden Cookbook: The Complete Gardening and
Gourmet Guide” by Lucinda Hutson
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