Also Known As

Garden Chervil, French Herb, French Parsely

Description

Chervil is a mildly flavored French herb, grown annually, looking like parsley.Being a member of the carrot family, chervil leaves resemble carrot tops. Its leaves are curly and trippinate, light green colored, opposite and the subdivided leaflets are oppositely placed.. It is considered as a warm herb. It is more delicate than parsley and has a faint taste like that of licorice. It has a lemon-anise flavor, which is lost on prolonged cooking.

How to Select

It is best when freshly harvested. The young green leaves are collected before they lose their pungency and preserved in vinegar. It is available from specialty grocers or farmer's markets. Check for the trippinate leaves to avoid confusion. Long kept chervil will look wilted and the color tends to deepen.

Culinary Uses

· Due to its mild flavor, which is lost on prolonged heating, it is recommended that you add it last once the recipe is cooked.
· Chervil is used to season cooked vegetable subjis, poultry as well as sea foods.
· It can also be added to salads, sauces and soups.
· Young chervil along with baby basil and other class of items constitute the micro greens or micro herbs.
· It can also be used as fermentable salad ingredient.
· A variety of fish dishes can be seasoned with chervil.
· Chervil complements scrambled eggs and omelets, cream cheese and herb sandwiches and even mashed potatoes.

How to Store

It is a very perishable herb and that is the reason why it is not very much available and unknown to many. It lasts fresh only for 3-4 days. Therefore it is recommended to wrap it in a damp tissue paper and store in perforated net bag or zip lock bags in air tight container under refrigeration temperature. Since there is not much use for dried chervil, it is suggested to use it fresh.

Health Benefits

· Chervil had various traditional uses also. Pregnant women have bath in its infusion.
· Its lotion is used as a skin cleanser.
· It is used as a eyewash to refresh the eyes.
· It is said to have the property of purifying the blood and helps lowering blood pressure. Try adding it in your teas while brewing.
· It was also claimed to be useful as a digestive aid.
· When infused with vinegar, it is known to cure hiccups.
· Its bioflavonoids help in Vitamin C absorption.