Chives

Chives are alliums, of the same family as garlic and onions. They are very versatile, a source of vitamin A and C and impart a mild onion flavour to dishes. They can be found dried but by far the best way is to use them raw. Snipped off at the base of the leaf, it should then be washed and then used whole or further snipped with scissors to add flavour to salads, soups, fish, potatoes... the list is almost endless. The leaves are narrow tubes, and left long make an interesting garnish. When used in hot food, they should be added near the end to retain their flavour and colour.