Chive Herbal Vinegar

My mother always plants chive plants with her roses. "They keep away the aphids and prevent black spot," she always tells me. It seems to be true because I have never seen a single aphid or black spot on any of her roses.

Chives are also good for making chive vinegar. For the vinegar you need: about 20 chive blossoms, white wine (or champagne) vinegar and a bottle to keep it in.

Place the chive blossoms in the bottle (the blossoms do not need to be packed tightly).

Add enough vinegar to cover the chives.

Cover and let it steep in a dark cupboard for about a week. The blossoms will tint the vinegar pink and leave you with a STRONG chive vinegar.

Strain out the blossoms, add a little of the vinegar to olive oil and you will have a tasty dressing for your salads. (This could also be another PTOE activity for sulphur). You can use many different kinds of herbs to make herbal vinegars, a rosemary vinegar would be yummy or a basil and chive vinegar. Try different herbs and steep them together to create interesting blends, don't be afraid to experiment. Enjoy!