The secret to no Tears When Chopping Onions

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A few years ago my hubby and I took a class at our local cooking store called Knife Skills 101. We learned how to de-bone a chicken, julian, chop, how to hold a knife correctly and tons of other skills. The one thing that has stuck the most with me is how to not cry when chopping onions. Now we have all heard  wives tales about holding a match in your mouth, chewing gum, and getting them cold first, none of that ever worked for me! The trick at the end of this post has never failed me.

First let's look at how to chop an onion:

Look at our onion, it has 2 sides one is the root side and it looks like this

This is the side you want to leave on till then end, the end you cut off is this end

Then you need to peel your onion and cut it in 1/2 through the root so that both halves will have part of the root attached

Then peel the skin off and lay flat. I usually lay a hand on top of the onion and then hold your knife parallel to the cutting board and cut layers. Do not cut all the way through the onion leave the root on, this is what holds your onion together while you dice it.

 Next you cut your onion horizontal to the cutting board again only cutting so that you don't cut to the back of the onion.

Then cut horizontal across the face of the onion and you will have a perfect dice without your onion falling all over the place and getting odd sizes.

So here you go, I cut up 10 onions and 3 bell peppers, I put one cup each in freezer bags and freeze them for soups, stews and other recipes. Now I am sure you are wondering how I cut 10 onions without shedding one tear or complaining about my eyes burning???

You got it a candle! The chef in our class used to work behind the scenes in the kitchen on Emeril Live and learned this trick. I know it sounds to simple to be true but try it the next time you cut and onion and I promise you will never forget it!

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