Chive

About

Chive (Allium schoenoprasum) has a mild, recognizably onion-like flavor, lighter than leek. Fresh, thinly sliced chive suits mild dishes best and pairs well with other alliums such as onion, garlic, leek or scallion, though it is most classically combined with sour cream, giving a cheese-and-onion effect. This entry also covers garlic chive (Allium tuberosum), a flat-leafed, white-flowered variety with a light garlic flavor, distinct from the purple-flowered standard chive.

Pairs well with chive

• EaPotatoChives sprinkled over vichyssoise or mashed potatoes brighten the flavor, and baked into potato bread or scones or paired with butter or…
• SuEggChives are widely considered the classic herb pairing for eggs, though some prefer them unannounced rather than as a garnish with…
• FrTomatoChive offers a lighter herb pairing for tomato than heavier options like basil or oregano, suiting especially ripe tomatoes; its purple…
• SuGarlicGarlic chives, longer, thicker and more pungent than onion chives, are considered by some to make excellent garlic bread.
• ChCheeseChives have a sharp, oniony bite suited to tangy cheeses such as goat cheese, feta, Gouda, and cream cheese; chive cream cheese is a…
• BrMisoChopped chives scattered over red miso soup, left to sit briefly, develop a flavor reminiscent of onion gravy with sherry.
• MuMustardIn baked goods like crackers, pie crust or choux pastry, mustard develops cheese-like notes that pair naturally with chives.
• GrParsleyChive and parsley, along with the more delicate tarragon and chervil, make up the classic fines herbes blend.
• EaLentilUrad dal is eaten in Tibet and Nepal with jimbu, a dried chive variety that's mild until fried into a tarka finish.
• WoCashewThe pair combine well in vegan cream cheese: raw cashews are soaked, then blended with cider vinegar, salt and lemon juice for a tangy,…
• EaFava beanFresh fava beans' mildly cheesy note pairs well with chives in a salad, spring vegetable braise or soup; adding small pods to a simmering…
• GrLettuceA sprinkling of chopped chives gives salad leaves a fresher, cleaner allium flavor than rubbing the bowl with cut garlic.
• SuLeekChive and leek share the allium family's characteristic sulfurous quality but differ enough to layer well together, chive tasting mildly…
• EaTofuTofu's mild eggy, milky notes suit chives naturally.
• MuRadishAt German beer festivals, the white Munich beer radish, spiralized into thin strands and sprinkled with chives, is a traditional pairing;…