Step 1: Gather your supplies
First things first, gather everything you’ll need. You’ll want a sharp chef’s knife, a cutting board, and, of course, the onion itself. Oh, and don’t forget a clean kitchen towel or paper towels for wiping away any tears!
Step 2: Prep the onion
Place the onion on the cutting board and cut off both ends, so you have a flat base. Remove the papery outer layer of the onion, but leave the skin intact. It’s easier to peel that way.
Step 3: Cut the onion in half
Hold the onion firmly with one hand and make a vertical cut down the middle, from top to bottom. You should have two halves now.
Step 4: Peel the onion
Take one of the onion halves and gently remove the outer skin. You can do this by using your thumb or a small knife to lift the skin away from the onion flesh. Repeat this for the other half.
Step 5: Slice the onion
Place one of the onion halves flat-side down on the cutting board. Hold it firmly with your non-dominant hand and make horizontal cuts across the onion, starting from the root end towards the top, but not all the way through. Leave about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) from the root end intact. These cuts will create slices of onion.
Step 6: Chop the onion
Now, keeping your fingers curled and using a rocking motion, make vertical cuts from the top to the root end of the onion. The closer the cuts, the finer the chop. Be careful to keep your fingers tucked away from the knife.
Step 7: Repeat with the other half
Repeat the slicing and chopping process with the other onion half. Remember to keep your fingers safe and maintain a steady rhythm.
Step 8: Gather the chopped onion
Once you’ve chopped both halves, use your knife or a spatula to gather the chopped onion into a pile. You can transfer it to a bowl or container for use in your recipe.
Voila! You’ve successfully chopped an onion. Just remember to take your time, be mindful of your fingers, and practice your knife skills. Before you know it, you’ll be a chopping pro!
Leave a Reply