Crying Over Chopped Onions

[Sparkles62]

Just chopped onions to go in tortillas, eyes burning and streaming, does anybody have any tips to prevent this....what do YOU do?

[Sparkles62]

Ok Mamy, agree with you there, it makes sense. XX

[237SJ]

With regards to the glasses - my eyes water more when chopping onions when I am wearing my glasses than they do when I`m wearing my contacts. I just put up with it and think that maybe giving my eyes a good wash-out isn`t a bad thing.

[mojay]

I also cook for one and find it useful to have a pack of dried onions in the store cupboard

[rockyracoon]

I leave the root bit on, doesn't stop it completely but does make a difference.

[Stephen_G]

If you can manage it without gagging, I stick a tablespoon in my mouth - works a treat for me. Home Economics teacher taught me that.

[rockyracoon]

I think if you wear contact lens it stops the crying.

[dickythecook]

Find someone 6 inches taller than you and get them to stand close next to you whilst you are chopping. They get the lot. (Pretend you are showing them how to cook)

[Arksided]

do it immersed in a sink full of water

That works for me aswell Excel, although at someone elses home, it's a good excuse not to continue because of laughing whilst crying because you can no longer see the onions.

[Clanad]

Two things that will help but probably not eliminate tears... first, use a sharp knife... the enzymes that cause the tears aren't released as badly from a good clean cut rather than a "mashed" cut... secondly, try pouring a little vinegar (anykind) on the chopping board... it seems to somewhat neutralize the enzymes...

[EcclesCake]

I'd like to think I'm not bad in the kitchen and am wondering how anyone can chop an onion under water??? I can see how peeling might work but chopping is beyond me, any explanations would be gratefully received!

[Caran]

Hold a biscuit or a piece of bread between your teeth while chopping, this really works.

[maggiebee]

Agree mamy, I cook for one and use frozen carrots, broccoli, onions, cauliflower etc. Great for quick recipes and soup. Do like fresh veg in a stir fry though.

[cupid04]

better than crying over spilt milk!

[totoise]

probably not much help,unless you wear contact lenses,then your eyes will be 100 pc dry,no crying or burning eyes

[bednobs]

i saw these in JL yesterday - priceless!
http://www.johnlewis.com/231281852/Product.aspx

[rockyracoon]

£23! Lol.

[vulcan]

army surplus?
http://1funny.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/chopping-onions.jpg

[venator]

I have an industrial size extractor fan in the kitchen wall. I chop onions on a table in front of a window, so there's a strong air current over thr prep area. Never a tear in our kitchen!

[LyndaB]

I also used to clench cutlery between my teeth (either a fork or a spoon, doesn't matter which) and that always worked. However, onions no longer make me cry - I must have toughened up lol