The pungent, sweet flavor of the clove lends itself perfectly to meats such as beef or venison, as well as fruits such as apples, oranges and plums and to pickled vegetables. Spike an onion with cloves and place it into a meat stew or casserole, add a few cloves to chilli con carne, spice up boiled rice or pop a clove into a bouquet garni. When baking a ham, spike the boiled ham with cloves so that the flavor permeates the meat during baking. Apples and cloves are a perfect combination and cloves are also an essential ingredient of mulled wine or warm punches.