I'm about to peel some strong yellow onions, how do I avoid torturing my eyes?

Question

Liver and onions coming up. Any other ideas to make it even better?

Answer 1

Here are a couple of ideas. The water trick usually works for me.
Peeling the onion under running water can help a little if the onion is really bothering your eyes

You could also try freezing the whole onion for about 20 minutes before you cut into it. That always works for me!

http://blog.startcooking.com/63/
And you are having bacon with the liver and onions, aren't you? Then you can saute the onion in the bacon fat. And mounds of fluffy mashed potatoes.

Answer 2

My grandma taught me this trick and it has not let me down yet! Before you even make the first cut...shut your mouth and breath ONLY threw your nose. I mean shut your mouth totally and not open your lips for nothing at all. Hold your lips closed the whole time that you are cutting the onion. And also try not to even breath that much while you are cutting the onion. If you open your mouth the tiniest bit, your eyes will burn. The key thing is while you are doing anything to the onion, peeling it, cutting it chopping it etc......keep your mouth SHUT. I have been doing this for I don't know how many years and it has worked every time. I am 50 now, and still doing it, and I shed no tears!!!

By the way, this does not apply to just the yellow ones, it applies to all onions.

Answer 3

When I peel an onion, I only peel down to the root. Leave the very bottom from which the roots grow and I never tear when peeling. You can cut the root core off after you are finished peeling the onion.

Answer 4

It helps if you keep the onions in a refrigerator. If you don't refrigerate it first, peel it under cold water. If you are going to cut it, hold the knife under cold water first, then cut the onion. If you feel that your eyes are about to water, hold the onion and the knife under cold water again.

It also helps if you cut the onion next to an open fire (stove). I don't remember why that works, but I saw a video about it on a cooking site.

Answer 5

Stop crying while cutting onions. After peeling onions cut in half and soak in water for about 5 minutes. Now, when you cut these onions your eyes will not water.

Answer 6

I am also extremely sensitive to onions. I usually follow a tip I got from a Chef on television years ago. Put your chopping board near your stove and if it is a gas one, turn the flame nearest the board on to about medium. While you are chopping the onions, the flame will burn the allyl sulfate off and the experience is a lot easier! If you do not have a gas stove, use some candles near you. It works. Cutting them under running water and such does not.

Answer 7

The crying is caused by acidic fumes that are created when different enzymes in the onion combine. there is really no way to prevent it aside from wearing a full gas mask. the best way is to combine many solutions, have a well ventilated kitchen, use very sharp knives to prevent bruising the onion, cut it under water (and drain the water when you're finished) and cut long the grain of the onion. All these techniques will help.

Or you could just live it with because onions add a lot of flavor to your cooking and it will dissipate fairly quickly.

Answer 8

Um Um sounds good. Peel and cut the onions under lukewarm water. Always works for me.

Answer 9

Peel them under running water.

When the liver is cooked take it out and use the juices to make a yummy liver flavoured gravy.

Answer 10

They sell "Onion Goggles" and I've heard that's the only sure-fire method to prevent tearing.

http://www.cooksite.com/IBS/SimpleCat/product/ASP/hierarchy/020B/product-id/36525139.html

(I keep a piece of bread in my mouth - it seems to help, but not ALL the time)

I like to put a little Balsamic Vinegar on my onions about a minute before I take them off the stove.