5 plant-based recipes using cloves

• Cloves can elevate everyday plant-based meals beyond festive use
• Five recipes include lentil soup, biryani, and roasted vegetables
• Use cloves to add warm, peppery notes to savoury or sweet dishes

Often saved for festive baking, the humble clove is a powerhouse of warm, aromatic flavour that deserves a year-round spot in your pantry. These five plant-based recipes show how its sweet and peppery notes can elevate everyday dishes.

1. Hearty Clove-Spiced Lentil Soup

This nourishing lentil soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a chilly evening. The cloves add a deep, warming undertone that beautifully complements the earthy lentils and sweet vegetables like carrots and onions. A pinch of ground cloves or a few whole ones simmered in the broth infuses the entire dish with a subtle, complex spice that makes it feel incredibly satisfying and flavourful. It’s a simple, one-pot meal that demonstrates how effectively cloves can build savoury depth.

2. Aromatic Vegetable Biryani

A fragrant biryani is a celebration of spices, and cloves are a cornerstone of its aromatic profile. In this plant-based version, basmati rice is layered with mixed vegetables and a symphony of spices. Whole cloves, along with cinnamon and cardamom, are often fried in oil at the beginning to release their essential oils, creating a fragrant foundation. This process, known as 'tadka', ensures the clove’s pungent warmth permeates every grain of rice, transforming a simple vegetable and rice dish into an elegant main course.

3. Clove-Glazed Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, and a touch of clove enhances it further. For this recipe, toss your chopped vegetables in a glaze made from a little oil, maple syrup, and a pinch of ground cloves before roasting. The clove provides a spicy counterpoint to the caramelised sugars of the vegetables, adding a layer of warmth and sophistication. It’s a versatile side dish that pairs well with almost any plant-based main.

4. Warming Mulled Apple and Cranberry Drink

Cloves are a classic ingredient in warm, spiced beverages, and for good reason. To create a comforting, non-alcoholic drink, gently simmer apple cider and cranberry juice with a few whole cloves, a cinnamon stick, and a slice of orange. The cloves release their sweet, pungent aroma, infusing the liquid with a cosy, festive flavour that’s perfect for settling in on a cool day. The whole cloves are easily strained out before serving, leaving behind their delightful essence.

5. Spiced Baked Apples with Cinnamon and Clove

For a simple yet elegant dessert, baked apples are a perfect canvas for the flavour of clove. Core the apples and fill the centre with a mixture of oats, a touch of brown sugar or maple syrup, cinnamon, and a dash of ground cloves. As the apples bake, they become tender and the filling turns into a warm, fragrant crumble. The clove cuts through the sweetness of the apple, providing a spicy, aromatic finish that makes this dessert feel both wholesome and indulgent.