How do you mince onions for use in raw salads differently?

Question

Minced onions for salads should be fine and dry, helping them blend into the dish cleanly.

Answer 1

When mincing onions for raw salads, soak the minced onions in ice water for 10-15 minutes to reduce their harshness and bitterness. This results in a milder, more palatable flavor.

Detailed Explanation:

Raw onions can be overpowering in salads due to their strong sulfur compounds. To mitigate this, the following steps are recommended:

1. Mince the Onion: Finely chop the onion into small, uniform pieces. The smaller the pieces, the less intense the flavor will be.

2. Ice Water Soak: Place the minced onions in a bowl of ice water. The cold water helps to draw out some of the pungent compounds responsible for the onion's sharp taste.

3. Soaking Time: Let the onions soak for approximately 10-15 minutes. This is usually sufficient to mellow their flavor without completely eliminating it.

4. Drain Thoroughly: After soaking, drain the onions very well. Excess water can dilute the salad dressing and make the salad soggy. You can gently pat them dry with a paper towel.

5. Incorporate into Salad: Add the softened, minced onions to your salad and toss gently.

Pro Tip:

For an even milder onion flavor, add a pinch of salt to the ice water. The salt helps to further draw out the sulfur compounds. However, be mindful of the overall salt content of your salad dressing.