Sticks cloves into an onion

What you’re describing is a clove-studded onion, often called a “clove-studded onion” or pomander in cooking contexts. Sticking whole cloves into an onion serves several purposes depending on use:

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Culinary Uses

1. Flavoring Stocks, Stews, and Sauces

   • Insert whole cloves into a peeled onion and toss it into soups, stews, or braises.

   • The onion and cloves infuse a warm, aromatic flavor without leaving small bits in the dish.

   • Common in pot roast, beef stew, or mulled broths.

2. Pickling or Braising

   • Clove-studded onions can be added to pickling brines or slow-cooked vegetable dishes for aromatic depth.

3. Pomanders for Aromatic Uses

   • Outside cooking, a similar method is used to make pomanders for natural fragrance. Oranges or apples can be studded with cloves and dried.

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How to Make a Clove-Stuffed Onion for Cooking

1. Peel a medium onion.

2. Stick whole cloves evenly spaced around the onion.

3. Add the clove-studded onion to your pot or braising liquid.

4. Remove before serving if desired.

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Tip:

• Use whole cloves, not ground cloves, to make removal easy and prevent overpowering flavor.

• Typically 6–10 cloves per medium onion are enough.