Let’s Not Cry Over Onions

metal basket filled with onions

Do You Cry when you slice onions?

What a silly question!  I sure do.  I guess wearing plastic goggles might help, lol.  Those gases from the onions do a number on our tear ducts.  So, let’s not cry over onions.  

I’ve heard of many different remedies to prevent tears.  Here are some of them:

  • Put the onion(s) into the freezer for 10 minutes, more or less.
  • Soak the onion in cold water.
  • Use a very sharp knife.  Not sure how this would make a difference.
  • Microwave the onion.  In my mind, this may cause an explosive reaction.  Not sure, as I’ve never tried it.
  • Hold a slice of bread between your lips.  Okay, I immediately see issues here.  Like being able to see the onion you’re slicing.
  • Slide a slice of lemon between your upper teeth and lip.  

 

In truth, I’m not sure there is anything you can do to keep the onion gases from irritating your eyes.  Except maybe those goggles, lol.   But, this is what works for me.  I remove the onion skin and trash it.  Then I slice the onion in half, set it on a paper plate, cut side up, and leave it there while I move away and continue to meal prep.  In a few minutes, I can return to slice and chop the onion without any tears.  Not very glamorous or earth-shattering, but it’s what works for me.  

A bin of onions

Some Things to look for when purchasing & Storing Onions

When shopping always purchase onions that are hard with dry skin and neck.  Wetness or moisture of any kind indicates a breakdown of the onion and possible decay.  Avoid onions that have sprouted.  

Onions should be stored in a cool, dry location.  It’s a good idea to store them in a mesh bag or other bag, and hang them in a dry cool location.  Think cellar or basement.  

An onion can be refrigerated after using a portion of it.  It’s always best to store the root half which will store longer in the refrigerator.  

If your onion starts to sprout there is no need to dispose of it.  Those greens are great sniped, chopped, and added to a salad.

Cooking with Onions

Onions can be boiled, like in our potato salad recipe, roasted as we did in our meatloaf recipe,  barbecued grilled as in our chicken kabob recipe, fried, and sauteed as we did in our chicken fajita recipe,  just to name a few methods.  If you are preparing it whole be sure to puncture it with a thin skewer, several times to prevent the center from popping out.  

An onion will have a sweeter flavor after cooking them.  Like when they become caramelized.  Gosh, don’t you just love hamburgers with caramelized onions as a topping. Yum!

These tips will come in handy as you shop and prepare your onions.  So, Let’s Not Cry Over Onions!

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