This Bright Chive Oil’s Green Hue Will Inspire Your Cooking
With its bright green color and subtle onion-like flavor, chives are a culinary treasure that adds flavor and color to any meal. Gourmet cooking is where I first learned about it many years ago. It utilized the concept of rapidly frying the herb to bring up the This straightforward yet adaptable oil is a pleasant addition to your kitchen cooking skills, offering a wealth of health advantages and being a visual feast.
Blanching stops enzyme activities that might normally result in flavor, color, and texture loss. It also helps prevent vitamin losses, enhances color, and eliminates some surface dirt and microbes (Clemson Edu).
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When you buy the workshops and related ebooks, you get more than recipes and gain new skills, confidence, and perhaps a different perspective on cooking. These methods are simple to apply, turning your kitchen into a happy place for creative expression and culinary healing.
Are you prepared to go on this delectable adventure with me? Let’s grow, learn, and cook together!
Dr. Siri Chand Khalsa’s 5-week Plant-based Cooking Course for Stanford’s Division of Immunology & Rheumatology was a spectacular addition to our wellness program. Dr. Siri Chand created an inspired line up of unique yet easy recipes which she beautifully rendered into a recipe booklet, replete with her own eye-popping food photography. She masterfully taught us to cook delicious and visually appealing dishes including sheet-pan veggies with quinoa tabouli with cilantro chutney, and root vegetable purée soup with kale sauerkraut salad. Each lesson was made even more delightful with unapologetically delicious desserts like fruit crisp and chia pudding. Dr. Sir Chand’s profound knowledge of Ayurvedic cooking, combined with her allopathic training and additional expertise in Lifestyle Medicine, offers a unique perspective on eating for vitality. She radiates passion and compassions in every session, making the experience truly enriching. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from this culinary medicine master!
Neha S. Shah, MD
Neha S. Shah, MD (she/her/hers) Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine Fellowship Program Director – Adult Rheumatology Division of Immunology & Rheumatology Department of Medicine Stanford University Hospital & Clinics
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A Nutrient-Rich Powerhouse
You can make ordinary meals spectacular by using chive oil in your culinary regimen. And even if you have been plant-based for some time, it is still crucial to keep things interesting. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, chive oil’s vivid hue reflects its nutrient-rich makeup. As members of the allium family, chives are a great source of antioxidants that help shield your cells from oxidative damage, as well as vitamins A and C, which are necessary for a strong immune system. These nutrients stay intact when infused into oil, making them simple to employ in various recipes.
The vivid green is really fun (at least for me) to add at the end of anything to bring out the flavors. You can drizzle them over practically anything.
There are vegan arancini with coconut yogurt and chive oil.
Culinary Versatility
Its adaptability is one of the most satisfying things about producing and utilizing chive oil. It can be used as a finishing oil for roasted vegetables, poured over soups and salads, or even as a tasty bread dip. Fresh and green, chive oil tastes great with many different foods; it’s a must-have for any home cook who wants to impress guests with easy recipes. To find a use for your sourdough ends, lightly toast them and pair them with your preferred herbal vinegar and chive oil dipping sauce. Adding some herbal salt and pepper enhances the presentation and flavors wonderfully. Additionally, you can appear as a culinary pro with so much ease.
Enhancing Healthy Eating
A great way to incorporate chive oil into our diet is to make incremental, lasting changes as part of a healthy eating regimen. This colorful oil gives your food a nutritious boost and improves flavor. You may benefit from natural ingredients and a lighter, fresher taste by substituting organic extra virgin olive oil infused with chives for standard oils.
A Meditative Preparation Process
In addition, producing chives oil can be a gratifying and contemplative endeavor. It’s a pleasure to pick fresh chives, combine them with premium oil, and watch as the oil absorbs the vivid green color. It creates a greater appreciation for the ingredients you use and the meals you make, and it’s a lovely way to establish a connection with the food you produce. They almost grow like weeds as well.
As you can see, it’s not a very difficult process.
In a process known as blanching, the chopped chives are added to boiling water, left to dry in an ice bath, and then combined with an oil. Enjoying this technique is very simple.
The bright green oil must be kept in the fridge to keep its luster, but don’t worry too much. The oil will be gone before any worries about preserving it come to light.
It’s a true treasure in any kitchen.
And here is the other fun part: once you have the finished product and the chive and oil pulp, you can use it in so many ways. You can see one way I used it in this Green Vegan Risotto and Herb-Infused Hummus.
I’m delighted to share with you my new ebook~
In recent months, I have taken time to put together 20 of my favorite recipes that lean into the summer season. I hope you enjoy it and bring each of these recipes more deeply into your daily kitchen rhythm.
Click below to learn more.
It can be added to soups or poured over roast vegetables. You can also add it to polenta or paste sauces at the end of cooking. I think even focaccia would be great with this. So rest assured, there is no waste in making this recipe. And that emerald green is just fabulous.
Parsley and cilantro will jump out just like this, too.
Utilizing Fresh Herbs and Culinary Medicine
Culinary self-care is fundamentally about feeding ourselves and others with intention and care. By selecting foods that are both tasty and nutritious, you can make meals that not only please your palate but also promote your general well-being. This idea is embodied by chives oil, which provides an easy yet effective means of improving our cuisine’s nutritional value and pleasure.
Herb Spotlight: Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives: One of my favorite complements to a dish, much beyond just a garnish. They are abundant in vitamins A and C, which are essential for healthy skin and a strong immune system. Vitamin K, necessary for healthy bones and blood clotting, is also present in onions. It’s also important to remember that taking more vitamin K may affect the effects of blood thinners like coumadin. It has been demonstrated that its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin, have antiviral and antibacterial qualities. Furthermore, antioxidants included in chives aid in shielding cells from oxidative damage. Chives contain a small amount of choline.
An essential vitamin that supports the integrity of cellular membranes is choline. In addition, choline supports mood, memory, motor control, and other neural and neurological system processes. (Healthy News Today). And just have a peek at the blossom and the voluminous green stems. The flower produces a vivid violet vinegar that combines wonderfully with the oil.
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1/2 cup fresh chives, roughly chopped (you can increase to 1 cup this as the blender tolerates but it can become more viscous and not strain as well)
1/2 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup neutral oil (such as grapeseed or sunflower oil) – *note you can use all olive oil if you desire but it does impart its own flavor which I like as I cook with olive oil in most cases
A pinch of sea salt (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Chives:
Begin by thoroughly washing the fresh chives to remove any dirt. After washing, roughly chop the chives to prepare them for blanching.
Blanch the Chives:
Bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and water. Once the water is boiling, add the chopped chives and blanch them for about 15 seconds. Immediately transfer the chives to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain the chives and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Blend the Chives:
Place the blanched and chopped chives in a blender or food processor. Add the extra virgin olive oil and neutral oil to the blender.
Blend Until Smooth:
Blend the chives and oils together until the mixture is smooth and vibrant green. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes, depending on your blender’s power.
Strain the Mixture:
Place a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth over a bowl or jar. Pour the chive oil mixture through the sieve or cheesecloth to strain out the solids. Press or squeeze the mixture to extract as much oil as possible.
Season (Optional):
Add a pinch of sea salt to the strained oil for extra flavor, if desired. Stir well to combine.
Store the Chive Oil:
Transfer the strained chive oil into a clean, airtight jar or bottle and store it immediately in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Usage Suggestions:
Drizzle over salads, soups, or roasted vegetables. Use as a finishing oil for grilled dishes. Serve as a dip with crusty bread or use in marinades.
Notes
Lemon Chive Oil:
Add a fresh, citrusy twist to your chive oil by including lemon zest.
Preparation: Follow the same steps for preparing and blanching the chives. Add the zest of one lemon to the blender along with the chives and oils.
Usage: Great for drizzling over salads, and roasted vegetables.
Garlic Chive Oil:
Infuse your chive oil with a hint of garlic for added depth of flavor.
Preparation: Blanch a clove of garlic along with the chives, then blend together with the oils. You could also use black garlic or roast garlic.
Usage: Ideal for pasta dishes, dipping bread, and enhancing grilled veggies.
Spicy Chive Oil:
Give your chive oil a kick by adding a small chili pepper.
Preparation: Blanch a small chili pepper along with the chives, then blend together with the oils. Adjust the amount of chili based on your spice preference.
Usage: Perfect for adding heat to salads, grilled vegetables, and burritos.
Herb Blend Chive Oil:
Combine chives with other fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro for a more complex flavor.
Preparation: Blanch a mix of herbs (equal parts chives and another herb of your choice), then blend together with the oils.
Usage: Versatile for any dish that needs a burst of fresh herb flavor.
Ginger Chive Oil:
Add a zingy note to your chive oil with fresh ginger.
Preparation: Blanch a small piece of peeled ginger along with the chives, then blend together with the oils.
Usage: Excellent for Asian-inspired dishes, salads, and stir-fries.
Storage and Usage Tips:
Storage: All variations should be stored in a clean, airtight jar or bottle and kept in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Usage: Use these flavored oils to enhance the taste of your favorite dishes, whether as a finishing touch or an ingredient in marinades and dressings.
You can also think about blending herbs for more flavor combinations. There are infinite combinations. Notably, there are different then infusing oils with dried herbs that can last much longer.
Prep Time:10
Cook Time:5
Click on the image above to grab the ingredients on Instacart from a list I have personally selected. The app will let you pick the store and provide a basis for the shopping and ingredient list. Then you can choose what you need. It has worked great for us.
ALSO…. if you select the “pick up” option, which you can do on the way home from work, you may even have a small credit on your purchases for your next visit.
To sum up, if you are a busy professional, look into Instacart to eat healthier when your schedule is hectic, either as a delivery or pick-up option.
Nutrient-Rich Powerhouse: The Health Benefits of Chive Oil
Not only do chives provide taste to your food, but they are also a great source of important nutrients with many health advantages. Among the many phytonutrients in chives is quercetin, a potent flavonoid with potent antioxidant qualities. Quercetin contains anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties in addition to aiding in the defense of your cells against harm from free radicals.
Furthermore, chives are a wonderful source of vitamins A and C necessary for a strong immune system and clear vision. These elements are retained when infused into oil, which makes chive oil a powerful, nutrient-rich substance that can improve your general health and well-being. Adding chives oil to your diet enhances the taste of your food and offers a natural, beneficial method of assisting your body’s essential processes.
Kitchen Supplies
Having the right supplies makes working in the kitchen easier. Click on the image to see the ways I love to store my food.
These are some of my favorite ways to store warm food in glass containers. The Wrek and Ball Glass jars are absolute staples in my kitchen.
Let’s Explore Seasonal Eating: Summer
The rains have created so much abundance in the herbal gardens. It is delightful to be there and enjoy all the goodness emerging this season. We try to get fresh flowers every week, too. The colors bring so much joy to our home.
What is Seasonal Eating?
I am particularly interested in the role of local and/or seasonal eating. I believe that connection to seasonal living builds a steady and essential connection to nature. Fortunately, this is not just my opinion; scientific data exists to explore this notion.
Eating locally and seasonally has been proposed to reduce the environmental impact of food production and enhance consumer health (Macdiarmid, 2013). However, the evidence supporting this idea is mixed. While some studies have found that local food can be inferior to non-local food (Edwards-Jones, 2010), others have highlighted the potential benefits of consuming local seasonal food for sustainable consumption (Vargas, 2021). The link between eating seasonally and reducing environmental impacts in the food chain has also been explored, with some research suggesting a potential benefit (Brooks, 2011). However, the overall impact of eating locally and seasonally on health and the environment remains complex and nuanced.
Seasonal Recipe Book: My Summer Favorites!
I’m so delighted to share with you a new seasonal cookbook that I have created that is available for purchase. Please click through on the link to learn all about it. AND the best part is that I will be creating one for each season. Hope you enjoy and if you make one of the recipes, please let me know.
References
Macdiarmid JI. Seasonality and dietary requirements: will eating seasonal food contribute to health and environmental sustainability? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2014;73(3):368-375.
Edwards-Jones G. Does eating local food reduce the environmental impact of food production and enhance consumer health? Proc Nutr Soc. 2010 Nov;69(4):582-91.
Vargas AM, de Moura AP, Deliza R, Cunha LM. The Role of Local Seasonal Foods in Enhancing Sustainable Food Consumption: A Systematic Literature Review. Foods. 2021; 10(9):2206.
Brooks, M., Foster, C., Holmes, M.R., & Wiltshire, J.J. (2011). Does consuming seasonal foods benefit the environment? Insights from recent research. Nutrition Bulletin, 36, 449-453.
Jaqua E, Biddy E, Moore C, Browne G. The Impact of the Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine on Brain Health. Cureus. 2023 Feb 3;15(2):e34605.
Elicit; Elicit: The Al Research Assistant; https://elicit.com; accessed 2/8/2024
In the complexity of considering the regional needs and long-term goals of feeding populations, I also believe that seasonal and, when feasible, local eating helps us cultivate mindfulness skills, paying attention to what is close and relevant. Exploring markets and local farms builds community connections, which is also part of Lifestyle Medicine’s core pillars of health.
Free Ebook
The food we eat significantly impacts our health, but how we prepare it can also have an effect. Eating a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can lead to many health problems, such as obesity and heart disease. Furthermore, what if I told you that changing these factors could make all the difference? You can improve your health by cooking your meals with whole food and plant-based ingredients. First, grab this free recipe ebook that incorporates flavors and principles from my Ayurvedic and Lifestyle Medicine training, and it is 100% plant-based. Then let me know what you have made.
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Chivin’ in the Kitchen
More than just a vibrant accent to your kitchen, chives are a healthful and adaptable item that may enhance your food and bring new flavors to your cooking.
Dive into chive oil’s vivid hue and crisp taste and learn how it may improve your food and expand your cooking endeavors.
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Looking to make a positive change in your life and community clincially? Dr. SiriChand is a board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Hospice/Palliative Medicine. She has dedicated her career to promoting long-term vitality through the choices we make every day and is an expert in Ayurveda and plant-based nutrition.
She particularly works with physicians to explore how to create time for self-care and how to learn to innovate in their integrative medicine careers. Take the first step towards an aligned, happier future, and contact Dr. Siri Chand Khalsa today.
Let’s create a better world for female physicians through intentional, mindful living.
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