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Chervil

© Laurel Morris

(Anthriscus cerefolium)
Family: Umbelliferae
This aromatic annual herb's seeds were found in a basket in King Tut's tomb! This herb is traditionally used in Europe as a "spring tonic" along with other herbs. It is used extensively in French recipes.

DESCRIPTION

Chervil is closely related to parsley. It grows to a height of 20-24 inches and gets about 8-12 inches wide. Its leaves are flat,light green, and opposite. It has an anise type aroma. The white flowers are grouped in small "umbels" or clusters, blooming in mid-summer.

GROWING, HARVESTING

Growing from Seed:
One of the main cautions of growing chervil from seed is that it doesn't like to be transplanted. Because it has a long tap root, this can be disturbed easily during transplantation. Sow seeds 3-4 weeks before last spring frost in the garden in a moist but well-drained area with partial shade. Germination will occur in about 14 days. Space plants 3-4 inches apart. It can be grown indoors, but make sure it is planted in a larger pot that will accommodate it as it grows.

Live Plants:
Choose healthy plants from your local nursery and plant in conditions as described above. This plant easily self sows, so there will probably be no need to buy another plant next year!

Harvesting

When the plant is 6-8 weeks old, leaves can be snipped for fresh use or dried for storage.

Pests

Keep mulch away from the bottom of plants to discourage earwigs from congregating and defoliating plants.

USES

Culinary Use

Fresh chervil is best for cooking since it loses some of its flavor when dried. Use chopped chervil in soups, stews, sauces, salads, vegetables, cottage and other cheeses, chicken, fish, egg dishes, and herb butter. It also can be used for flavoring vinegars.

Medicinal Uses

Chervil infusion is used as a digestive aid, diuretic, stimulant, and is used to treat eczema, gout stones, women's cramps, and high blood pressure. Typical infusion is one teaspoon of dry herb steeped in 1/2 cup of water. Take 1/2 to one cup a day, a mouthful at a time. As always, consult a physician for serious ailments and always notify a physician of any herbs you are taking.

Other Uses

The leaves can be infused in water to use as a skin freshener.

RECIPES

CHERVIL-TARRAGON SALAD DRESSING

Ingredients: 6 tbl. olive oil, 3/4 tsp. salt, 3 tbl. tarragon vinegar, pinch black pepper, 1 tsp. finely chopped onion, 3 tbl. chopped fresh chervil

Mix all ingredients.

ONION CRUSTED POMPANO WITH CHERVIL JUS

2 large Vidalia onions, shaved into 1/4-inch rings

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