What are fines herbes?

 Fines herbes is yet another classic French combination of herbs. It includes fresh, minced chervil, chives, tarragon, and parsley, either in equal amounts or a little heavy on the parsley or chives, depending on your preferences. Non-traditionalists sometimes sneak marjoram, thyme, basil, or rosemary into the mix, but that would have to be known as forged fines herbes.

If you have trouble rounding up fresh chervil or tarragon, you can use about half as much dried chervil or tarragon.

Fines herbes is said to go especially well with dishes that feature eggs, cheese, or mushrooms. The most well-known presentation is omelette aux fines herbes. Another suggestion is to sprinkle it generously on a roast chicken when it comes out of the oven.

You can buy premixed dried fines herbes, although quite likely not in your neighborhood supermarket. The major spice companies in this country do not seem to be producing fines herbes at the moment.

You will see we have referred to fines herbes as a singular noun all the way through this article, essentially referring to it as a collective combination, but it has taken a great deal of determination on our part not to say, "fines herbes are." We're quite proud of ourselves....

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