Quick Tips

Chives for Interesting Garnishes

• Chives should be used raw for maximum taste. Chives can be chopped up and added to salads and a variety of potato dishes including mashed and baked potatoes. They can also be used as an accompaniment to fish and egg dishes. Chives are best used fresh, rather than dried; however they freeze well for winter use.
• A simple sprinkling of finely chopped chives will make a bowl of soup look even more appetising. Chive flowers also make a good garnish to a variety of dishes.
• Use whole chives to create a variety of interesting garnishes. Tie them into bows or form them into circles or triangles, securing the shape by sticking the tip into a cut end. Try fanning out three to five chives atop a dish or using them to tie bundles of vegetable strips. If the chives are too stiff to manipulate, blanch them for ten seconds in boiling water.