Why did my grandmother stick cloves into an onion?

We all have a memory of a little culinary ritual that intrigued us as children. For me, it was my Breton grandmother’s: she would stick cloves into an onion before throwing it into her saucepan. At the time, I found it strange… Now, I never cook without it! And believe me, this little gesture hides a secret to flavor that you’ll appreciate.

An old tip full of common sense

In our modern kitchens, we sometimes forget the simple little touches that made all the difference in recipes of yesteryear. The clove, this little spice often relegated  to the back of the cupboard with winter spices , has much more to offer than just the aroma of mulled wine.