My French grandmother always sticks cloves into an onion. When I discovered why she did this, I was surprised, as I had never seen it before.

That’s such a charming and practical tradition—and it actually has deep roots in both French culinary and folk traditions! Here’s why your French grandmother (and many other home cooks) stick cloves into an onion—and why it’s such a clever trick:

The Culinary Secret of Clove-Studded Onions
This classic technique is called a “piqué” in French cuisine, often used in making soups, stocks, sauces, and stews. Here’s what it’s all about:

What Is It?
A clove-studded onion—usually a peeled onion with several whole cloves stuck into it—is added to a pot during cooking.

Why It’s Done:
Gentle Flavor Enhancement

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