Recipe for Marinade with Whole Cloves
This marinade with whole cloves is great for preparing meat, especially pork or chicken. The cloves add a mildly sweet and spicy flavor with an exotic touch.
Ingredients:
- 5–6 whole cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves (chopped or minced)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional for a fresh and sharp taste)
Instructions:
Preparing the cloves: Lightly crush the whole cloves in a mortar or leave them whole if you want a stronger flavor and texture in the marinade.
Mixing the ingredients: In a bowl, mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), soy sauce, chopped garlic, ground pepper, cinnamon, salt, and grated ginger (if using).
Adding the cloves: Add whole or crushed cloves to the marinade and stir well.
Marinating: Immerse the meat (chicken or pork) in the marinade, ensuring it's well coated. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
Grilling or baking: After marinating, grill or bake the meat as usual. You can use the leftover marinade to baste the meat during cooking for extra flavor.
Usage Tips:
- Pork: The clove marinade pairs beautifully with roasted pork shoulder or chops.
- Chicken: Chicken thighs or breasts will gain a wonderful aromatic flavor from this marinade.
- Vegetables: You can also use the marinade for grilled vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, or pumpkin.
This marinade adds a mildly spicy and exotic touch to dishes thanks to the cloves and other spices.
