Cloves

Cloves have a warm, very strong aromatic flavor. They can be quite bitter on their own and are better used when heat tempers their flavor. This little spice is the dried, unopened flower bud of a evergreen clove tree. They come in, dried buds that are whole or ground. This is a very popular spice for holiday cakes and cookies. A clove studded onion will give great flavor to chicken or meat stock. It is also used in many dishes with beef, lamb, pork and especially ham. Gingerbread, pickles, chutneys and marinades are additional recipes with cloves. Oranges with cloves studded around it adds a wonderful smell to Christmas baking. I love to have them in a basket on the table during the holidays.