Safe from 6 months. Chives provide vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, and small amounts of iron and calcium. Like all alliums, they contain quercetin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Their mild onion flavor is much gentler than onion or garlic.
Fresh chives have a mild, clean onion flavor with a faint grassy note and none of the sharpness or pungency of raw onion or garlic. They do not cook well as the delicate flavor fades completely with heat, making them a finishing herb rather than a cooking ingredient. They pair naturally with eggs, cream cheese, butter, potato, sour cream, salmon, and mild soft cheeses.
This guide covers fresh chives. For dried, use a small pinch for babies under 12 months.
Finely mince and stir into soft foods: scrambled eggs, mashed potato, avocado. The mild onion flavor is gentler than regular onions and well-tolerated from 6 months.
Finely chopped over eggs, soft pasta, or mixed into yogurt dip. No cooking needed.
Any family use: snipped over soups, salads, baked potatoes, or dips.
Ingredients
Steps
Allergen note: contains dairy and wheat. The spread keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. Also works spread on soft rice cakes or stirred into mashed potato.
Garden notes
One of the easiest herbs to grow. It regrows after every cutting and tolerates partial shade. Snip with scissors 2 inches above soil and the plant keeps producing all season. Container-friendly. Repels aphids and carrot flies.
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