Onion Piqué – A French Flavor Booster

Ingredients

• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled
• 4–6 whole cloves
• Optional: 1 bay leaf (often pinned to the onion with the cloves)

Instructions

1. Peel the onion and trim just the root end slightly if needed to sit flat.
2. Stick the cloves into the side of the onion. If using a bay leaf, pin it to the onion with the cloves.
3. Add the clove-studded onion to a pot of milk, broth, or soup while simmering. It will subtly infuse the liquid with warm, aromatic flavor.
4. Simmer according to your recipe (commonly 15–45 minutes).
5. Remove and discard the onion before serving.

This trick adds a gentle spice and aroma—perfect for sauces like béchamel or soups like French lentil or chicken broth. Let me know if you’d like a full recipe that uses it!