Make your own Chive Vinegar and Harvest that Thyme

It is that first harvest of the year! I love when my herbs are ready to harvest. My husband and I both love to cook, he is a classically trained chef and we honestly use a lot of herbs and spices when we cook. Most of the herbs we use, we grow and harvest ourselves. It is one of my favorite hobbies. I love learning about the herbs, trying new recipes and learning about all the healing benefits and vitamins that herbs offer.

Today I harvested English Thyme, Lemon Thyme and French Thyme. (On the pictures below I labeled the French Thyme just “Thyme”). They are all different and each has its own unique flavor profile. French Thyme offers a flavor that is subtler than the English Thyme. They both have the same mint and clove notes but the French Thyme is milder in the flavors. The leaves are so tiny and tender and so tasty. I cut them put them on plates to dry at room temperature. Once they are dry I strip the little leaves off the stems and put them in jars for cooking. I always have enough of my own without buying it from the store!

Chives....the flowers are definitely pretty and they make a great chive vinegar that I use on salads. Rice Salads, Lettuce Salads. I put a little in my Sushi Rice. It is great to sprinkle a little on vegetables too! It has a very onion, garli, mint sort of profile and is a beautiful shade of pink. I cut the flowers just when the buds are opening. Cut the flower tops off and rinse them in cold water in a colander to get any bugs off.

Then pack the flower tops in a jar tightly and cover with white vinegar. I used a distilled white vinegar, but a white balsamic would be great to use. I think I will do that next time.

Then put a lid on the jar and place it on your counter to sit for 1-2 weeks. I put mine right next to my kombucha. Everyday give it a little shake..

That is it!!! When it is done strain out the vinegar and put the flowers in your compost pile. You will have a tasty chive vinegar that you can use and share a bottle with your culinary friends! Enjoy!

If you give it a try, let me know how yours comes out, I would love to hear from you!