Chives Indian Vegetarian Recipes for Flavorful Meals

Chives, with their mild onion flavor and vibrant green color, are a beloved herb in many cuisines around the world. In Indian vegetarian cooking, chives bring a fresh, subtle zing that elevates the simplest dishes to new heights.

From spiced parathas to fragrant chutneys and delicate lentil preparations, incorporating chives into your meals adds both flavor and nutrition. If you’re looking to explore Indian vegetarian recipes that creatively use chives, you’re in for a treat!

In this blog post, we’ll dive into several delicious Indian vegetarian recipes featuring chives, along with tips, ingredient lists, and serving ideas. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to Indian cuisine, these recipes are easy to follow and perfect for adding a fresh twist to your everyday meals.

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

Chives are more than just a garnish—they’re a versatile ingredient that enhances texture, flavor, and presentation. Indian vegetarian dishes that use chives benefit from their gentle oniony taste without overwhelming the palate.

These recipes are:

• Nutritious: Chives are packed with vitamins A and C, calcium, and antioxidants, making your meals healthier.
• Flavorful: The mild allium flavor complements spices and herbs commonly used in Indian cooking.
• Simple: They require minimal preparation but add maximum impact to your dishes.
• Adaptable: Suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these recipes can be customized to taste.

Ingredients

• Fresh chives: 1 cup, finely chopped
• Whole wheat flour: 2 cups (for paratha)
• Besan (gram flour): 1 cup (for chive pakoras)
• Green chilies: 2, finely chopped
• Ginger: 1 tablespoon, grated
• Mustard seeds: 1 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds: 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder: ½ teaspoon
• Red chili powder: ½ teaspoon
• Salt: to taste
• Oil: 3 tablespoons, plus extra for frying
• Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
• Cilantro (fresh coriander): 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Yogurt: ½ cup (optional, for raita)
• Cooked lentils: 1 cup (for chive dal)
• Asafoetida (hing): a pinch

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Rolling pin and board
• Non-stick skillet or tava
• Deep frying pan (for pakoras)
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and chopping board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Blender or food processor (optional for chutney)

Instructions

Chive Paratha (Indian flatbread with chives)

1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of whole wheat flour with a pinch of salt. Add water gradually and knead into a smooth, soft dough. Cover and set aside for 20 minutes.
2. Mix the filling: In another bowl, combine finely chopped chives (1 cup), 2 finely chopped green chilies, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, and salt to taste. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and mix well.
3. Roll the dough: Divide the dough into equal-sized balls. Roll out one ball into a small circle using a rolling pin on a floured surface.
4. Add the filling: Place 2-3 tablespoons of the chive mixture onto the rolled dough. Fold the edges inward to enclose the filling, then roll out gently again into a flat circle (about 6-7 inches in diameter).
5. Cook the paratha: Heat a non-stick skillet or tava on medium heat. Place the rolled paratha on the hot skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until light brown spots appear, flip, and cook the other side similarly. Apply a little oil or ghee on both sides and cook until golden brown and crisp.
6. Serve warm: Serve the chive parathas hot with yogurt or pickle.

Chive Pakoras (Fritters)

1. Prepare the batter: In a bowl, mix 1 cup besan (gram flour) with ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, a pinch of asafoetida, salt to taste, and 1-2 finely chopped green chilies.
2. Add chives: Fold in 1 cup chopped fresh chives and 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro.
3. Add water: Gradually add water to make a thick batter, similar to pancake consistency.
4. Heat oil: In a deep frying pan, heat enough oil for deep frying over medium heat.
5. Fry pakoras: Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry until golden and crisp, turning occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
6. Serve: Serve hot with mint chutney or tamarind sauce.

Chive Dal (Lentils with Chives)

1. Cook lentils: Rinse 1 cup of lentils (moong dal or toor dal) and cook with 3 cups water until soft (about 20 minutes in a pressure cooker or 40 minutes on stovetop).
2. Prepare tempering: In a small pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds and let them crackle. Add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, and a pinch of asafoetida. Sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Add chives: Add 1 cup chopped chives and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly wilted.
4. Combine: Pour the tempering into the cooked lentils. Add salt, ½ teaspoon turmeric, and mix well. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with steamed rice or roti.

Tips & Variations

“Always use fresh chives for the best flavor and vibrant green color. If fresh chives aren’t available, you can substitute with green onions or scallions, but the flavor will be slightly different.”

• Make it spicy: Add finely chopped green chilies or a pinch of red chili powder to the chive filling or batter for extra heat.
• Chive chutney: Blend chives, cilantro, green chilies, lemon juice, and salt for a refreshing chutney that pairs well with pakoras and parathas.
• Vegan option: For the parathas, use oil instead of ghee to keep the recipe vegan.
• Stuffed variations: Combine chives with mashed potatoes, paneer, or mixed vegetables for different stuffed parathas.
• Leftover ideas: Use cooked chive dal as a base for soups or add to vegetable stir-fries for added protein and flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

These Indian vegetarian chive recipes pair beautifully with a variety of traditional accompaniments:

• Yogurt or Raita: A cooling cucumber or mint raita balances the spices in chive pakoras and parathas.
• Pickles: Try a tangy mango or lime pickle for a burst of flavor alongside chive dal.
• Rice or Roti: Serve chive dal with steamed basmati rice or warm rotis for a wholesome meal.
• Chutneys: Fresh coriander or tamarind chutney pairs well with pakoras and parathas.

For inspiration on Indian accompaniments, check out this Pickled Cherry Pepper Recipe. If you enjoy experimenting with flatbreads, you might also love the Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe which complements many vegetarian dishes beautifully.

More Indian Vegetarian Recipes Featuring Chives

Expanding your chive repertoire can be fun and delicious. Here are a few more Indian vegetarian recipes to try:

Chive and Potato Samosas

These crispy pastries stuffed with a spicy mix of potatoes and fresh chives make a perfect snack or appetizer. The chives add a subtle freshness that balances the earthy potatoes.

Chive-Cilantro Chutney

A vibrant green chutney combining chives, cilantro, green chilies, and lemon juice. Serve alongside pakoras, samosas, or dosas for a refreshing dip.

Chive Upma

A savory semolina breakfast dish enhanced with chopped chives, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and nuts. This quick recipe is comforting and nutritious.

Interested in sweet treats after your meal? Check out our delicious Peda Recipe Ricotta Cheese for a fusion twist on traditional Indian sweets.

Conclusion

Incorporating chives into Indian vegetarian recipes is a wonderful way to add flavor, nutrition, and color to your meals. Whether you’re making chive parathas, pakoras, or dal, these recipes are approachable and packed with authentic Indian spices balanced by the fresh, mild aroma of chives.

These dishes are perfect for family meals or entertaining guests, offering a unique twist on classic Indian vegetarian fare. Plus, they are easy to customize with your favorite spices and ingredients.

Give these recipes a try and bring the vibrant essence of Indian cooking to your kitchen with the humble but powerful chive!

For more inspiring recipes, don’t miss our Personalized Recipe Book Stand to organize and showcase your favorite dishes beautifully.

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