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On Chives

I recently discovered some dead chive blossoms that I plucked from the stems last year, and left in my shed over the winter.  They are dry now and the black little seeds shake out easily.  I think I might sprinkle them around my lilac where I transplanted my chive plants last fall.  My lilac always seems to have chewed up leaves, and I'm hoping that the pungent chives will keep away some bugs.  Plus, I think all the purple blossoms will look nice together.  I started out with some chives as part of my beginning gardening, thinking I'd use it on tex-mex dishes, baked potatoes, etc.  We really don't eat nearly as much as we grow, actually, but I enjoy them for many other reasons.  They are one of the first things to show life in the spring, I like the purple blossoms, and the bees love them.  They are also rather carefree, as garden plants go.  So there you have it, four reasons I grow chives. 

One thing I do use them for every year is lime chive butter.  Mmmmm!

Lime Chive Butter
Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1 lime
Handful of chives
Other herbs (thyme, sage, etc.) optional
Salt, to taste

Directions:
Let butter soften to room temperature; this can take an hour or two, depending on the weather!  Wash and chiffonade chives and other herbs.  Cut lime in half and juice.  Combine butter, lime juice and herbs in a bowl; season with salt if you'd like.  Stir well, chill.  
It's fantastic on corn on the cob!

Sorry, no picture.  It never lasts long enough to get the camera out.
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Comments

  1. cherylApril 19, 2010 at 8:05 AM

    Thanks for the recipe....and the cool photo...

    ReplyDelete
  2. DebApril 19, 2010 at 8:14 AM

    Chives are great. I was given some garlic chives, (white bloom) last year. I haven't seen them yet, they are under my lilac bush...
    I am looking forward to trying your lime chive butter with my regular chives, yum!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 19, 2010 at 9:08 AM

    chives are awesome plants. My MIL has them all over her yard. They are pretty hardy and really do keep the plant eating bugs away. Plus the purple blossoms are pretty too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. audreypawdreyApril 19, 2010 at 12:31 PM

    I may need to plant some chives! I am still learning what grows well here, but these sound perfect. When is a good time to plant them? The photos is awesome.:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Stephanie DApril 19, 2010 at 4:00 PM

    I have about 6 pots of chives on my deck. Bought them last year, not realizing they were perennials, and was planning to dump them and start over in the spring. I never got around to it, and they wintered in those pots on the deck all snowy winter.

    Amazingly (to me) they not only survived, they are thriving and now I have to go buy new pots and repot them because the plastic did NOT survive well! I didn't know they'd keep bugs away, so maybe I'll just save a couple for the deck (it's so convenient to go clip some for supper) and put the rest in one of the flower gardens out front.

    BTW, thanks for the recipe! I'll definitely have to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ThimbleannaApril 19, 2010 at 6:35 PM

    Wow! Thanks for the recipe -- that sounds wonderful for our corn -- I would have never thought of it. I wish all herbs were as wonderful as chives -- they keep multiplying and coming back and like you said, they're so easy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ShawnApril 19, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Oh that Anna... the butter would be perfect for corn on the cob,I will give it a try. I love my chives too, I like to snip it with sissors and use it in mashed potatoes and potato and other salads, it's a great herb! Your photo is great Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ranetteApril 20, 2010 at 5:24 AM

    The butter sounds yummy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. CandaceApril 21, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    What a great idea for keeping away bugs! You're so clever, Karen! I will definitely try the chive butter, too!
    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete

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