Onions are a staple ingredient in many dishes, adding a unique flavor and aroma. But there’s one major drawback to cooking with onions: the tears they bring to your eyes. And also the pungent odor that lingers on your hands and breath.
If you’re tired of crying and smelling like an onion all day, you’re in luck. There are a few tricks you can use to make your onions less pungent. And no, this is not to talk about wearing goggles or a gas mask in the kitchen.
1. Soak your onions in water
Before you chop your onions, try soaking them in water for 10-15 minutes. This will help reduce their pungency. You can also add a little bit of salt to the water, which can help draw out the sulfurous compounds that make onions so pungent.
2. Chill your onions
If you’re not in a hurry to chop your onions, you can chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour. Cold temperatures can help reduce the activity of the enzymes that create pungent compounds in onions.
3. Add some acid
Acidic ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, or even a little bit of wine can help neutralize the sulfurous compounds in onions. Add a splash of vinegar to your chopped onions and let them sit for a few minutes before using them in a recipe.
4. Use sweet onions
Not all onions are created equal. Sweet onions like Vidalias or Walla Wallas have a lower concentration of sulfurous compounds than other varieties, so they’re naturally less pungent. If you’re looking for a milder onion flavor, reach for a sweet onion.
5. Cut your onions properly
How you cut your onions can also affect their pungency. Cutting onions into smaller pieces or using a food processor can release more of the sulfurous compounds, making them more pungent. Try cutting your onions into larger pieces, or use a sharp knife to minimize the damage.
No matter what you do, onions are always going to make you cry a little bit. But instead of fighting it, embrace the tears. Cry it out and let the onions work their magic in your recipes. Who knows, maybe a good cry is just what you need to release some stress!
With these tips, you can enjoy the delicious flavor of onions without the pungent smell and tears. So go ahead, chop those onions with confidence, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you. Just don’t forget to keep some tissues nearby!