Onions are used in so many recipes that it is imperative that we know how to chop an onion. Somedays I feel like all we do is chop onions. We also buy a lot of onions, so much so, that when we go to check out the casher always ask, “You must really like onions” or “Are you having a get-together”. For breakfast we will chop onions for an omelet or a potato hash. Then for lunch and dinner, oh my goodness, we chop onions for the green beans, meatloaf, hamburger steak, potato salad, and the list goes on and on. Trying to prepare a meal without onions would be like trying to prepare a meal without a cast iron skillet. There is no way this Southerner could do it.
But, at least we are not like Julia Child in the movie “Julie & Julia” where Child’s has to learn to chop a lot of onions really quickly. We just chop one or two onions at a time and can chop them at our own pace. However, chefs that work in busy restaurants have to chop a lot of onions in a short amount of time.
Just a little information about onions. One of the world’s most popular foods just happens to be the onion. And it is no wonder, onions are so popular. Onions can be eaten raw, roasted in the oven, cooked in so many foods, fried, pickled, and even dehydrated. It would be difficult to imagine a world without onions, the foods we eat would not be the same.
Even though onions are not a dirty dozen we still purchase organic onions. Since onions grow in the ground they absorb the nutrients in the soil. We just think that it is better to have organic soil that the onions grow in, just as nature would intend. This way the soil is not saturated with chemicals or artificial fertilizers.
Everyone probably has their own way for chopping an onion. But this is the way we chop an onion. We have created a step-by-step guide complete with pictures and written instructions. It is our hope that anyone who has never chopped an onion will have the confidence to try, by using the guide for inspiration.
Instructions:
This is the best way that we have found to chop an onion. Onions range in flavor from mild to strong and from sweet to hot. When buying an onion in the grocery store feel the onion to make sure it is firm. If an onion is soft it has already gone bad. The one thing that an onion can do better than any other vegetable and even to the strongest person is make them cry.
First take out a cutting board and a sharp knife. Second take the onion and place it on the cutting board. Cut the onion lengthwise leaving the papery skin still on the onion. Position the knife so that the cut will go through the bottom as well as the top of the onion. After the onion is cut in half place half of the onion to the side. Now take and cut the top of the onion off. Not the roots. Working with half of the onion, pull the top layer of the first segment toward the roots of the onion. Leaving the roots intact helps prevent some of the allyl sulphide from being released from the onion. Allyl sulphide is what causes tears when chopping an onion. Pull, do not cut, the onion section that has been pulled back. This will leave the roots of the onion intact. Now that the onion skin has been removed, begin cutting the onion. Slice the onion horizontally multiple times toward the roots. Please be careful and try not to cut yourself. Refer to the step-by-step guide for a visual. Without cutting through the roots, take and cut the onion vertically several times, starting at one side and moving to the other. Now, it is time to start chopping the onion. Place one hand on the knife and the other on the onion roots. Start chopping the onion toward the roots. Discard the roots when finished. And now you have half of an onion chopped. Follow the same instructions for the other half of the onion.
