How to Cut Shallots

Before I'd actually tasted shallots, I was always told that they are sweeter and more mild than a regular onion. I don't actually find this to be the case. To my palate they have amore pungent, garlicky aroma than a typical onion. However, we typically use them in small quantities. Think: an accent to a vinaigrette, tossed with roasted vegetables, sautéed with garlic for a pan sauce, or as the base for a risotto.

Like onions and garlic, controlling their pungency is a key part of their preparations. This aroma arises from a unique chemical process. Within intact shallot cells, precursor molecules exist separately. Upon cell rupture during cutting, these precursors combine to form lachrymatory compounds, the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for the characteristic eye-watering effect and sharp flavor. To minimize premature formation of these compounds and thereby accentuate the shallots' more subtle flavors, it's important to shop for, store, and chop them with care.

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CREDITS
Shot by: Michael Weiner
Edited by: Alex Oh
Produced By: Kenji Lopez-Alt, Polly Auritt, Lena Davidson

[powerhammer]

I can tell Kenji was pleased with himself after that “ehhh shallot” line, great dad joke 😂

[pdlkmusic]

I work in a produce department and every time I restock the shallots I just think about the tweet I saw once that said "I love that gay little onion, the shallot" and thus, in my mind, a shallot is just a little onion.

[JWoodcock]

Dude's intensity towards the most subtle details is fantastic.

[ihatekpeng]

I just watched a man chop shallots for 10 minutes and enjoyed every second of it.

[necronerdicon]

I love learning from your videos, but your humor always catches me off guard! I laughed so hard at "eh, shallot."!

[dylanbyrne]

When I was a young kid in school when I got lines such as: I will not throw scissors in class. x30
I'd always start with 30 "I"'s down the page, then 30 "will"'s. I also did this with other thing such as finely chopping onions, I always thought that this was a weird thing to do.
Thanks Kenji for the reassurance that I'm doing the right thing.
Have a great next year.

[klamlk]

has he been to an alternate dimension to bring us cooking skills beyond human comprehension again?

[thevelotramp]

Another excellent demo. Information that can be found elsewhere but Kenji does it better as usual.

[arlenesolis]

I love shallots. Its delicate flavor is great and diverse because you can use it in so many ways. It also helps to have a sharp knife 🔪. Thank you for your tips.

[CMondo]

Kenji is good enough that I will watch a video like this - "cutting a shallot" - and actually still learn something. "Ehh shallot" is also a good bonus

[sroper]

Timely! Mincing some shallots later for a duxelle in a beef wellington — First time, so wish me luck! Happy New Year 🎊

[dAfoodie]

i love the two in one shallots, the plank is so satisfying 😌

[italianasc]

What a gorgeous brunoise! I also appreciate that your apron color matches the color of your bench top compost bin. 🧡💛

[FishareFriendsNotFood]

I'm just here to exalt in his amazing chopping skills

[HKnSLK]

I like shallot half rings. Make them a little crispy and throw an egg on top. Yum

[justinenglish_]

Nice pronunciation of "échalotte", Kenji!
Greetings from France

[m.theresa]

This was timely! Sliced shallots went into my black eyed peas to add a bit of oooomph . They worked well.

[grizzly._.]

I feel like Kenji is reading my mind. I'm making bearnaise sauce tomorrow for NYE dinner (using Kenji's recipe on Serious Eats, which includes shallots). And then this video pops up, nice timing!

[melsky]

After watching me chop vegetables, my new boyfriend said that he would be happy to chop any vegetables that I needed in the future. So I guess this is the year that I’m gonna have to learn how to chop vegetables just to save my pride. At least he liked my gravy!

[tomokoichi]

Thought I was coming to a technique video but ended up in a science class! Brilliant! I wish my science classes growing up were all like this! Thank you as always.