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
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