Dicing Onions

Many recipes call for onions to be diced or chopped. The size of the dice depends on the thickness of the first cuts. Keep the root end intact to prevent the onion from falling apart during chopping; it may also prevent tears (see box).

1. Cut peeled onion lengthwise in half. Place cut-side down and make a series of horizontal cuts without cutting the root.

   

2. Make a series of vertical cuts down through the onion, again making sure the root is not cut.

   

3. Hold the onion firmly on the cutting board and cut it crosswise into dice. For fine dice, continue to chop until the dice are the desired size. The tough root end that remains can be reserved for use in stocks.