Cloves 1kg

Recipes & Uses

Recipe for Cloves

Classic Clove-Studded Holiday Ham

Servings: 12–15
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 2–2.5 hours (varies by weight)

Ingredients:

• 1 fully cooked bone-in ham (8–10 lbs)

• 30–40 whole cloves

• 1 cup brown sugar

• ½ cup honey or maple syrup

• ¼ cup Dijon mustard

• ¼ cup pineapple juice or apple cider

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground allspice

Instructions:

1. Prep the Ham:

   • Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).

   • Score the ham fat in a diamond pattern (1/4-inch deep).

   • Press 1 clove into the center of each diamond (see photo below).

2. Make the Glaze:

   • Whisk brown sugar, honey, mustard, juice, cinnamon, and allspice in a saucepan. Simmer 5 mins until thickened.

3. Bake:

   • Place ham in a roasting pan, flat side down. Brush with ⅓ of the glaze.

   • Cover loosely with foil and bake 1.5 hours (15 mins per pound).

   • Uncover, brush with remaining glaze, and bake 30–45 mins until caramelized, basting every 10 mins.

4. Rest & Serve:

   • Let ham rest 20 mins before slicing. Serve with pan drippings.

Why This Works:

• Cloves: Their eugenol oil penetrates the meat, adding warmth without bitterness.

• Glaze Balance: The mustard’s acidity cuts the sweetness, while cinnamon echoes the cloves’ spice.

Serving Ideas:

• With sides: Scalloped potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or biscuits.

• Leftovers: Use for sandwiches, split pea soup, or ham fried rice.

Perfect for Mulled Wine & Spiced Drinks

Whole Cloves are an essential ingredient in mulled wine, spiced cider, chai and other warming drinks.

Add a few cloves while the liquid heats and allow them to gently release their aroma before straining or removing them.

Classic for Baked Ham

Press Whole Cloves into the surface of a ham before baking for the traditional combination of clove aroma, caramelised glaze and roast flavour.

They pair especially well with brown sugar, honey, mustard, pineapple and citrus.

Ideal for Curries, Biryani & Rice

Add a few Whole Cloves to curries, biryani, basmati rice, pilafs and slow-cooked dishes.

Their powerful flavour slowly infuses throughout the dish and complements cinnamon, cardamom, cumin and other aromatic spices.

Great for Stews & Slow Cooking

Whole Cloves can add aromatic depth to braised meats, stews, stocks and slow-cooked dishes.

Usually only a few cloves are required for an entire pot.

Perfect for Pickling & Poached Fruit

Whole Cloves are commonly used in pickling spice blends and preserving, and they work beautifully when poaching pears, apples and other fruits.

How to Use Whole Cloves

Add Whole Cloves near the beginning of cooking so they have time to infuse.

Because they are hard and intensely flavoured, remove the cloves before serving. Often just two or three are enough for an entire dish.

Buy Whole Cloves in Bulk in New Zealand

The 1kg bulk pack is ideal for restaurants, bakeries, caterers, food manufacturers, chai makers, preserving and commercial kitchens.

Order Whole Cloves online in NZ from SpicenEasy for drinks, curries, rice, pickling, desserts and festive cooking.

Storage

Keep Whole Cloves tightly sealed in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place to preserve their powerful fragrance. 

Pro Tips:

• Clove Hack: Stud only the top/sides (not underside) to avoid overpowering.

• No Waste: Simmer the ham bone with cloves + veggies for incredible stock.