I am an early bird of the grandest magnitude. Every day in the summer, I’m up at 5 a.m., sometimes slightly before. This, of course, means I am crashed out and in a snoring slumber by 9:30 p.m. most days.
But, early morning hours are my most productive. We like to joke around here that I would have done well in the Army, because I get more done before 8 a.m. than most people do all day.
But what does that have to do with tears and onions? Glad you asked!
Earlier this week, I was watching a show on Food Network called Simply Delicioso that comes on at 5:30 a.m. (for us). I am not sure if this is the time it is seen across the country or not, but I’m guessing not too many people watch this show.
The host was making something with onions, and she pulled an onion out of the freezer to chop it up. Apparently if you freeze an onion for a little while (I’d go with about an hour), the juices freeze, and you can cut it without crying.
I tried it, and it works.
So, next time you have a potential tear-making onion, freeze it for a little bit before you chop it and there’ll be no more tears!
View Comments (6)
Been a while since I actually visited your site instead of just reading your posts via RSS. Like the new design.
Another option is the refrigerator. Chilling the onion (possibly in a Ziplock bag to keep the onion scent out of everything else) works just as well and you don’t have to worry about forgetting about it and occidentally freezing it solid, necessitating a thaw out.
Thanks Edward! I have been working on sprucing things up around here. I read most blogs via RSS too – it’s just so much easier.
Good point about the refrigerator. I remember you blogged about that a while back.
Thanks for stopping by “online!”
Hi, thanks for the tip. My eyes are extremely sensitive to onions and something that works really well for me is to simple put the cutting board right next to the stove and turn the extractor fan on while I mince the onions and continuing on a few minutes. Haven’t had a problem since!
I’ve also seen people use a little fan nearby but the extractor fan works well enough for me.
Hi Peter, that is a good tip, thanks! I will try it next time – it sounds easiest of all!
i was reading it has to do with the enzymes in the bulbs/ends. they have an affinty to bind with water molecules. thus they seek out water like the wet membrane of the eye so your eyes water. so i use a soaked/drenched paper towel under the onion while im cutting after i fold up the scrap in the towel and boom into the garbage. I haven’t cried in months
thanks for that! I was looking really STUPID with a match between my teeth and tears still streaming down my face! I will try this next time!
Sam