Chive – RB Plant Albenga: this distinctively flavoured herb is easy to grow and has a wide application in the kitchen.
The plant is a member of the onion and leek family but it has a more subtle flavour that makes it ideal for more delicate dishes.
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Chive is an herb that belongs to the botanical family Liliaceae together with onion, garlic, leek and shallot but is has a lighter, more subtle flavour.
RB Plant grows chives in Albenga as a part of their Sunny heRBS range.
Let us show you how to use it, conserve it and grow it.
Chives: Culinary use
Normally the leaves are the most commonly used part of the chive to be used in the kitchen, preferably fresh and raw, in order to appreciate fully the properties and vitamins that would be lost if cooked.
Having said that, chives are often used as an alternative to onion in the classic Mediterranean “soffrito”, finely chopped and sautéed together with carrots and celery, resulting in a more delicate and easily-digestible version of this sauce.
Chives are used to flavour all kinds of dishes, also in combination with other herbs.
Chives are a mouth-watering addition to salads, add extra flavour to potatoes, cheeses, eggs and main courses and are perfect in creams, soups and risottos.
It is vital to add the chives at the end of cooking so that they remain flavoursome and maintain their natural consistency.
An additional tip: why not use the chive’s flowers to add a guaranteed touch of elegance to your dishes?
Chive: Conservation tips
If you wish to conserve your chive, keeping it in the freezer is a perfect solution; simply place the cuttings in freezer bags.
Unlike the majority of other herbs, drying chive is not a good idea as it loses all of its characteristic flavour.
Chive: Growing advice
Would you like to grow it on your patio or in your garden to guarantee a constant supply?
Growing chive is in fact really quite simple; it does not require any particular care or attention.
As it is an annual plant, keeping chive in a pot or in your vegetable patch is a convenient way of cutting its leaves whenever you need them for the kitchen.
The only thing to watch is that you guarantee a good sunny position and regular watering.
Do you like the flavour of chive and do you like to use herbs in your cooking?
Click here to view our video recipe and follow Sunny heRBs on Instagram!
