It's one of the most basic tasks in the kitchen, but it can often spark a divide... Some people don't peel first (sacrilege!), others remove the root entirely (uh-oh...) and one person even admitted to not chopping at all, they just buy pre-chopped from the supermarket! Linzi is here to save your onion-y day with the most effective - and easiest - way to chop an onion.
1. Using a large sharp knife, trim off stem end of onion and cut it in half lengthways, through root end.
2. Peel off skin from both halves, leaving root end attached.
3. If there are any long bits of root (hairy bits!), remove them to prevent them getting in the onion.
4. Next, make horizontal cuts parallel to chopping board, slicing to, but not through, the root.
5. Then in the opposite direction, make lengthwise vertical cuts along the onion. Make sure not to cut through the root, keeping your fingers safe from the knife. The more vertical cuts, the finer the chopped onion.
6. Cut across the width of the onion to chop into small pieces.
Linzi joins the Good Housekeeping team as Kitchen Manager, looking after the brand-new, state-of-the art test and demo kitchens based in the heart of Leicester Square. With over a decade of experience producing food content for leading brands, she’s won awards for her recipes, battled Christmas dinners in July, and spent a lot of time pondering the next big food trend (no more pistachio, please!) Originally from the North East of Scotland, she lives in West London with her Italian husband and twin daughters, feeding them a variety of haggis and ragu - depending on the mood!
