Should you soak onions before using them in stir-fries?

Question

Explore how soaking onions can reduce sharpness and help with even stir-frying.

Answer 1

Soaking onions in cold water for about 10-15 minutes before adding them to stir-fries can help reduce their harshness and make them sweeter. This also helps to prevent them from burning too quickly in the hot wok.

Detailed Explanation:

Soaking onions works by drawing out some of the sulfur compounds that contribute to their pungent flavor and can cause watery eyes. When you submerge sliced or chopped onions in cold water, these compounds leach out, resulting in a milder, sweeter taste. This is particularly beneficial in stir-fries where you want the onion flavor to complement other ingredients without overpowering them. The water also helps to keep the onions crisp during the cooking process. To soak onions effectively:

1. Peel and slice or chop the onions according to your recipe.

2. Place the onions in a bowl of cold water, ensuring they are fully submerged.

3. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes.

4. Drain the onions thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel before adding them to your stir-fry.

Drying the onions is important to prevent excess water from steaming the other ingredients in your stir-fry, which can lower the wok's temperature and affect the overall texture.

Pro Tip:

If you're short on time, a quick rinse under cold water can still help reduce some of the onion's sharpness, although the effect won't be as pronounced as a full soak.