Cloves might not be a common ingredient in everyday cooking, but once you learn how to use them, they can completely elevate your culinary creations. While cloves are typically used in marinades or to add fragrance to mulled wine, the French use them in a much more versatile way that can inspire a whole new range of dishes.
The French are masters at creating meals bursting with unforgettable flavors and aromas, where every ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to bring out specific notes. Fresh herbs and greens are a big part of their cooking, but when winter makes them scarce, they came up with a clever alternative—oignon piqué, which translates to “onion studded with nails.” At first, this might sound odd, but it’s actually a simple, yet brilliant technique.
In this method, the “nails” are actually cloves. Around 5–6 buds are carefully inserted into a peeled onion, creating a unique flavor and fragrance. This clove-studded onion finds its way into various dishes like broths, roasts, stews, and baked goods. You can place it alongside meat or vegetables in a pan or on a baking sheet with a meat roll. As the dish cooks, the cloves bring out deeper, more complex flavors, adding a subtle but fascinating twist. The best part? The onion holds the cloves in place, so you won’t have to worry about removing stray buds from your dish!
