Make me chop an onion and I'll cry you a river. No joke. One whiff and my eyes will be on fire and the tears will start rolling down my face. It happens every time, yet it doesn't stop me from chopping onions several times a week. My fear is that one of these days I will end up slicing into one of my fingers because by the time I get to the last few slices, I can't see!
I needed to come up with an easy solution that would allow me to chop a week's worth of onions at a time without shedding a tear. I especially love caramelized onions and since they take so long to cook, I like to make a huge batch at once. I've tried many things, and some things have worked a little, but my eyes would still end up burning for the rest of the evening, long after dinner was eaten.
But lo and behold, I have found something that works!! MATCHES! I don't know the exact science as to why it works, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the sulphur mixing with the gases from the onions. So here's what you do if you have this problem too.
Light a match and blow it out. (I add an extra step and wave the blown out match around the area where I'll be chopping the onions. I'm not sure if it helps or not, but it surely doesn't hurt.) Then put the OTHER end of the match in your mouth, so that the end you lit (and hopefully blew out) is hanging out. Proceed to chop as many onions as you like and whatever you do, DO NOT OPEN YOUR MOUTH. I believe this is key, so just breathe normally through your nose until all onions are chopped, scraps are thrown away, and you've thoroughly washed your hands. I do not remove the match until I've washed my hands. It really does work! Also, be sure and use the vent above your stove as it will also help absorb the gases being released by the onions.
I've been doing this for several weeks now and I'm loving having a batch of fresh, caramelized onions in my fridge at all times.
Although, a few weeks ago, I had to start doubling the recipe (no problem since I discovered the match trick!) I discovered by accident that caramelized onions are absolutely wonderful in salad! I happened to be making a salad for lunch during one of my batches of onion-cooking, and decided to try it and I'm so glad I did! I like to warm the onions before adding them. I recommend trying it!
Do you have a trick for chopping onions without crying? I'd love to hear what others do!
Happy chopping!
