Ingredients
Chervil
Other Names: Apo perexil (Basque); cerafolio or perifollo (Spanish); cerbel, französische petersilie, or gartenkerbel (German); cerfeuil (French); cerfoglio (Italian); French parsley (British); Frenk maydanoz (Turkish); garden chervil; san lo po (Chinese).
The delicately lacy herb chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium_) is a member of the Apiaceae (parsley) family. A cousin to carrots, whose leaves it resembles, chervil combines a light anise fragrance with parsley’s cleansing freshness. Chervil is France’s most elegant herb because its tiny fernlike leaves make a lovely garnish, while its delicate flavor goes well with subtle and refined foods. The fresh leaves are chopped and added to soups, salads, and fish dishes. Herbal vinegars usually contain a few leaves of chervil. If cooked at all, the leaves should be cooked briefly so as not to dissipate the aromas. In Carinthia, Austria’s southern region, large ravioli-type pasta are stuffed with cottage cheese, boiled potatoes, and fresh herbs, especially chervil. The related herb cicely, or Spanish chervil (_Myrrhis odorata), which has a stronger, aniselike aroma, is often substituted for chervil in northern European countries.
Season: Chervil is not as commonly found in supermarkets as other herbs, but if you do find it, it will likely be in cooler weather. In hot weather, chervil tends to turn white.
Purchase and Avoid: Look for chervil in farmers’ markets and specialty stores. Avoid chervil that’s faded or has brown spots. Look for sprightly, light green, feathery chervil with a notice-able aroma somewhere between celery and licorice.
Serving Suggestions: Make French sauce vierge (virgin sauce) with diced tomatoes, diced shallots, olive oil, and chopped chervil and serve over thinly sliced raw fish or baked fish or seafood. Add chopped chervil to scrambled eggs or buttered garden peas. Add chervil to the pan juices when making chicken gravy.
Food Affinities: Asparagus, butter, carrot, chicken, crabmeat, cream sauces, eggs, garden peas, scallops, shrimp, tomato, spinach, sugar snap peas, white wine.
from Quirk Books: www.quirkbooks.com
