How to Chop an Onion

I’ve always had a very difficult time cutting onions. First, I must give myself a little credit for approaching an onion with the best intentions. However, the result of my determination never looked quite like the onions you see on many popular cooking shows. My chopped onion pieces (if that is what I should call them) were continually jagged and inconsistent, unlike the perfectly shaped onions that are cut within seconds on TV. Unfortunately, I was always left crying over my unattractive onion pieces that required more time for refinement.

While watching the movie Julie & Julia, I could relate in so many ways to Julia Child (aka Meryl Streep) when she became frustrated with her onion chopping skills among her classmates. Like Julia, I refused to give up and I was tired of crying all the time. It wasn’t until I took a knife skills cooking class that I realized the secret to cutting an onion. It’s really quite simple and if you’re lucky you may even be able to cut your onion without shedding a tear. I found this great video on How to Chop an Onion , which is a wonderful refresher. The best part is that it’s less than a minute long!

If you happen to be extra sensitive to onions, I highly recommend RSVP International Onion Goggles. They may not be the most attractive look on the catwalk, but they will save you from the waterworks. Also, they will instantly put a smile on your face – they are ridiculously funny!

Do you have trouble cutting onions? What are some of your favorite onion-filled dishes? Share your comments and experiences below.