My French Grandmother Always Sticks Cloves Into an Onion. When I Discovered Why, I Was Surprised!

🧅 INGREDIENT

• 1 whole peeled onion
• 3 to 5 whole cloves

(Optional: used in these recipes below)

• 1 bay leaf (tuck it into a slit in the onion)
• 4 cups of broth or milk (for béchamel, for example)

👩‍🍳 INSTRUCTIONS

1. Peel one whole onion.
2. Gently press 3 to 5 whole cloves into the sides of the onion.
3. (Optional) Add a bay leaf by making a small slit and sliding it in.
4. Place the clove-studded onion directly into your simmering soup, stew, stock, or milk.
5. Let it infuse while cooking, then remove it before serving.

🍲 TIP:

This technique is often used in dishes like béchamel sauce, chicken soup, French onion soup, or even pot-au-feu. The result is subtle but deeply flavorful.

Would you like a full recipe that uses this trick?