Cooking Tip: Chopping Onions

My least favorite kitchen chore is chopping onions–at least it was, until I gleaned a clever tip from writer Jessica B. Harris’ story “Open City” in the November issue of Saveur. In this article about Thanksgiving traditions in New Orleans, Harris writes about one hostess who chopped onions while holding a burnt matchstick in her mouth to ward off tears.

With my own holiday feasts looming, I put the tip to the test while making stuffing on Thanksgiving morning. Not a tear was shed–and I’ve since tried the match trick twice with perfect results. Finally, an unpleasant task rendered painless.