Garlic Chives: Best Paired Cheeses For A Flavorful Dish

Garlic chives are herbs with a strong garlic flavour and a chive-like appearance. They are often used in Chinese and Japanese cuisine, especially in dishes that are slowly simmered in a sauce, such as soups and stews, or in stuffing. They are also commonly paired with eggs and seafood. When it comes to cheese, garlic chives can be used in a variety of ways, such as in a homemade cheese spread with garlic and herbs, or in baked goods like garlic cheddar chive scones. They can also be added to cream cheese to create a savoury spread for bagels.

Garlic and chive cream cheese

Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese: It is recommended to use full-fat, block-style cream cheese for the best results and flavour. Philadelphia cream cheese is a popular choice.
• Chives: Fresh chives are ideal, but you can also use green onions in a pinch.
• Garlic: You can use fresh garlic cloves, crushed or finely minced, or garlic powder.
• Salt and Pepper: Add these to taste.

Optional Ingredients:

• Lemon Zest: Lemon zest adds a sharp, zingy touch to the cream cheese.
• Parsley: Parsley brings a nice zing to the spread.

Instructions:

• Chop the parsley and chives.
• Zest the lemon and finely mince the garlic.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the desired amount of garlic and chives.
• Add the whipped cream cheese and stir to combine.
• Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Tips:

• Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing for a smooth consistency.
• If using fresh garlic, crushing it is an important step to release its flavour. Place your knife against the garlic clove and carefully smash it.
• Mincing the garlic and chives allows for the maximum amount of flavour to be released. You can use a food processor or a sharp knife for this step.
• For the best texture, use full-fat cream cheese.
• This recipe can be doubled if you need to make a larger batch.

Serving Suggestions:

• Bagels: Spread it on a bagel for a delicious and savoury breakfast.
• Crackers: Use it as a fancy schmear on crackers for a quick and easy snack.
• Sandwiches: Try it on sandwiches as a replacement for mayonnaise or other spreads.
• Dips: Use it as a dip for vegetables, chips, or snacks.
• Baked Goods: It can also be used as a filling or topping for sweet baked goods, such as cookies or brownies.

Storage:

To store your garlic and chive cream cheese, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days, although some sources suggest it can last up to a week.

Garlic cheddar and chive scones

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic (or more, to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more for topping
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper, plus more for topping
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1/2 cup cold sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 1 cup shredded fine cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten for egg wash

Method:

• Place a rack in the centre of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, sugar, and granulated garlic.
• Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or potato masher until the butter breaks down into pea-sized pieces.
• In another bowl, combine the egg, cold water, and sour cream. Beat lightly with a fork until just combined.
• Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and stir until the dough is soft and begins to combine.
• Add the chives and cheddar cheese and dump the mixture onto a clean surface to knead the dough. The dough should hold together in about 12-15 kneads.
• Roll or pat the dough out into a 1-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch rounds using a biscuit cutter. Continue to reshape and roll the dough to create more biscuits with the scraps.
• Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
• Bake for 16-20 minutes. Serve warm.

Tips:

• For extra flavour, add more garlic, chives, and cheese than the recipe calls for.
• For a savoury kick, sprinkle coarse sea salt on top of the scones instead of brushing with egg wash.
• To make the scones extra flaky, grate the frozen butter into the dry ingredients.

Homemade garlic and herb cheese spread

This is a DIY version of the spreadable Gournay cheese that originated in France. It is a quick and easy recipe that can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It is also much cheaper than buying the pre-made version at the store.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
• 1 small garlic clove, crushed or quartered
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt (preferably kosher or sea salt)
• 1 tablespoon of fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of white sugar (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill weed (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme leaves (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper (optional)

Method:

• Combine the cream cheese, butter, garlic, and salt in a medium-sized bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. If you are using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment.
• Mix on medium speed until the ingredients are well combined and smooth. If you are using a hand mixer, this should take around 3 minutes.
• Add the chives and parsley (if using) and mix until well combined.
• Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until needed. The cheese spread will keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
• For a more formed shape, line a small bowl with plastic wrap and fill it with the spread. Press the spread down into the bowl to remove any air bubbles, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• To serve, uncover the bowl and turn it over onto a serving platter. Remove the bowl and plastic wrap and serve with crackers, toasts, bagels, or cucumber rounds.

Variations:

• You can add a citrus note to the cheese by incorporating 1/8 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest with the herbs.
• For a spicier version, add 1/8 teaspoon (or more) of freshly ground black pepper.
• You can also experiment with different combinations of fresh or dried herbs, such as thyme, dill, oregano, or chives.
• If you don't have access to fresh herbs, you can use freeze-dried chives or finely chopped green onions instead of fresh chives.
• For a stiffer spread, omit the butter or replace it with 1 tablespoon of oil.
• If you don't have access to cream cheese, you can try using goat cheese, ricotta cheese, or pureed cottage cheese. However, these substitutions will alter the flavor and texture of the spread.

Garlic cheese with chives

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Garlic
• Chives
• Salt (optional)
• Other herbs and spices (optional)

Method:

• Start by softening the cream cheese and butter at room temperature.
• Mince or crush the garlic cloves. Fresh garlic is best, but you can also use garlic powder.
• Chop the chives finely. You can use fresh or dried chives, depending on your preference.
• In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Mix them together until they are well blended and smooth.
• Add the garlic and chives to the cream cheese mixture. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavours.
• Mix all the ingredients until they are fully incorporated. You can use a food processor or a hand mixer for this step.
• For added texture and flavour, you can also add other herbs and spices, such as parsley, oregano, thyme, or dill.
• Once the mixture is ready, pack it into a small bowl, ramekin, or glass jar.
• Cover the container and chill the garlic cheese in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
• Serve the garlic cheese with chives on crackers, use it as a spread on sandwiches, or get creative and add it to your favourite recipes!

Storage and Variations:

The garlic cheese with chives can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to create your own unique flavour variations. For a citrus note, add some lemon zest to the mixture. If you prefer a spicier version, add freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Other Recipes with Garlic Cheese and Chives:

• Garlic Cheddar Chive Scones: These savoury scones are perfect for breakfast or brunch. The combination of garlic, cheddar cheese, and chives creates a delicious and addictive treat.
• Cream Cheese with Garlic and Chives: This spread is perfect for bagels and brings a savoury note to your breakfast. It can also be used as a dip for snacks.
• Homemade Garlic Cheese with Chives: This recipe guides you through the process of making your own cheese from scratch, incorporating garlic powder and chives to create a sweet and milky-tasting cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or with crackers.

Chinese recipes with garlic chives

Garlic chives are a popular seasoning in Chinese cuisine, known for their strong "garlicky" flavour and used in a variety of dishes. Here are some Chinese recipes that feature garlic chives:

Spiced Tofu Stir-Fry with Garlic Chives

This vegan and vegetarian dish is quick and easy to make. It combines spiced tofu, garlic, ginger, and garlic chives in a savoury stir-fry sauce. The tofu and garlic chives are stir-fried together for a flavourful and aromatic dish.

Pork and Garlic Chive Stir Fry

This recipe combines tender stir-fried pork with bright green garlic chives and a simple savoury sauce. The pork is sliced thinly and marinated before being stir-fried with the chives. This dish is perfect served over steamed rice for a nutritious and satisfying meal.

Stir-fried Shrimp and Garlic Chives

This recipe is a popular choice among Asian home cooks. It features shrimp stir-fried with garlic chives and eggs. The large shrimp are brined before cooking to ensure they remain crunchy and not mushy. This dish can also be made with other meats, such as chicken, beef, or pork.

Chinese Chives with Eggs

A simple dish of scrambled eggs with Chinese garlic chives. The broad leaves of the garlic chives add a strong garlic flavour to the eggs.

Pork Chive Dumplings

A classic Chinese dumpling filling, combining minced pork and garlic chives. The broad leaves of the garlic chives make them perfect for adding flavour to dumpling fillings.

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