There are as many methods for chopping onions as there are cooks; this is my favorite.
1. Place the onion on a sturdy cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice off the pointy end of the onion.
2. Stand the onion on the cutting board, using the newly cut end as the base, and cut a clean slice through the center of the onion, starting at the root. Remove the skin of the onion.
3. Place one half of the onion on its side and, holding the root firmly, make horizontal slices about 1/4″ wide. This determines the size of your pieces. Stop before hitting the root.
4. Now make vertical slices about 1/4″ apart; again, this determines the size of your dice. Start at the root but don’t slice through the root.
5. Finally, make vertical slices at a 90° angle to the previous cut, revealing perfectly diced onion bits.
Onions are one of nature’s most versatile vegetables. Try them in chili, frittatas or soup. What’s your favorite way to use onions?
I can’t do it this way. Believe me, I have tried, but it’s too wild and loose-knifey-pointed-toward-fingers for me. Which isn’t to say the way I do it is any less (and I don’t get consistent pieces). I will say, though, that one of the many reasons I resist getting Lasik is because my eyes don’t tear with my contacts in!
Next time I’m out I will have to survey your method – I’ve found this to be this least loosey-goosey for me!
Great post! This is the way I cut my onions. I think I need to invest in some onion goggles or something because I always end up in tears.
I think the onion I used may have been tired or something, I didn’t have any tears. Although the chili I made came out fantastic, so I guess the onion wasn’t too bad.