In this article we can find all the necessary information to know how to cut a shallot, to begin we will see what is a shallot.
Some advices about shallots, next we will see a few recommendations for knives and cutting boards, and finally, we will see the best ways to cut a shallot depending on the situation so that we want it.
Shallots
Shallots look like small onions, although they are separate relatives of the onions known as Allium ascalonium. This slightly sweet ingredient is part of the Amaryllidaceae family, which includes garlic, onions, and leeks. The shallot is milder and less spicy than the onion but not as smooth as leek or as strong as garlic. Often, the shallot serves to spice up dishes without making the kind of bold statement an onion or garlic would make, starting its life in a recipe finely chopped and sautéed with butter or olive oil.
They are made up of teeth that reside under paper-like skin. The flesh of the shallot can vary from a pale purple hue to a golden brown color. Slicing the shallot allows you to add flavor and texture to dishes such as soups, sauces, and stews.
Unlike onion, it is not advisable to let the shallot brown when frying because it turns bitter, and therefore the flavor of the stew will not be as expected.
And although it can also be consumed raw, it is better to cook it or fry it when you want to give a special touch to the dishes.
There are three varieties of shallot: purple, gray, and brown. Whichever you choose, prefer pieces that feel somewhat heavy for their size and are hard.
Advice
Refrigerate unwashed green shallots in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks.
Store dried shallot bulbs in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Use the dried bulbs within six months.
Always wash shallots before you look at them to prevent disease.
Wear gloves when cutting shallots and avoid touching your eyes. The chemicals emitted from shallots can irritate your eyes, and the smell can linger on your hands.
Necessary gadgets
Another essential thing to consider is the gadgets with which we will cut the shallot, for this you must have a good board and a good knife.
Below we have some knife recommendations:
Paring Knife – PAUDIN 3.5 Inch
It is a very good knife that does not have a large size, therefore it is more than enough to cut a shallot.
SHAN ZU Fruit Knife and Office Knife Peeling Knife Fruit Knife 9.5 cm Stainless Steel Kitchen Knife
Classic Series. It is a small size knife suitable for cutting vegetables.
Here are some recommendations for cutting boards:
Plastic cutting board
Cutting boards with juice slots and non-slip handles, antibacterial, dishwasher safe, can be used for fish, meat, vegetables, fruits, BPA free. With a multifunction and double-sided plastic table, easy to clean and suitable for cutting any type of vegetables.
Large Bamboo Chopping Boards
Kitchen Board for Vegetables Meats Fruits, Cutting Board with 3 Built-in Compartments and Slots for Juice, 43x32x2cm. It is a table in this case made of wood, much more professional and it even has grooves to deposit food, it is a more expensive option but of course it has its advantages.
Multifunction Folding Chopping Board
Kitchen Chopping Board with Strainer and Towel, 3 in 1 Chopping Board Kitchen Drain Basket Fruits Vegetables (Gray). It is a very innovative option since it is a folding table so that when the products are finished cutting, the table unfolds so that it remains in the shape of a bowl so that things do not fall.
How to cut a shallot?
The first thing we are going to do is rinse the shallots under cold running water, in order to wash the possible remains of dirt or something else.
There are different ways to cut the shallot depending on what we want to cook later, in this article we will see the main ones.
We will start with the cut to strips
What we are going to do is place the knife over the end of the shallot that has the small rootlets and cut a slit deep enough to almost cut the end, leaving the end barely adhered, so that the shallot is easier to peel. . Next we are going to hold the shallot with one hand and place it on a cutting board. We cut the shallot in half along its length so that we have two equal parts. Now we can peel the shallot easily by removing the outer skin layer. We place the two halves on the cutting board, cut side down, so that the end of the root is facing away from us towards the top of the cutting board. Finally what we do is make a series of vertical cuts starting on the side of the shallot closest to our body, in this way we will create a series of long vertical strips, and the width of them will depend on the taste of each one. Now we have the shallot cut into strips that will be perfect to prepare many delicious dishes.
Another very common way to cut the shallot is into squares
To begin, what we will have to do is the same as in the previous step, that is; clean, cut in half, peel and cut into vertical strips. In this case, once we have the vertical strips, it is advisable to keep them all together to save time in the next step. In this step what we are going to do is turn the strips that we have 90º, so that it is more comfortable to cut, and then we make cuts of the desired width so that we have small squares. If we have kept the strips together, with a few cuts we will have done all the work, although it can also be done in parts or separately for greater precision and safety. Because the chopped pieces are uniform in size, the chopped shallots will cook more evenly. Now we will have our shallot cut into squares, which is one of the most common bases for any sauce or stir-fry.
Now we will see how to cut the shallot into slices, which is not so common but it is a very simple and fast way
To begin, what we are going to do is place the knife on the end of the shallot that has the small roots and cut a slit deep enough to almost cut the end, leaving the end barely adhered, so that the shallot is easier peeling. Next we peel the shallot removing the outer skin layer. Now we place the shallot on the cutting board, putting the part of the roots that we have cut pointing to the side. Finally, the only thing we are going to have to do is make vertical cuts of the desired width of each one and we will see how the result is small rings. Unlike the onion, which is usually much more symmetrical and with many layers, the shallot usually has more irregular shapes and has fewer layers, therefore we will not have such perfect rings in some cases. Now we have our sliced ​​shallot and we can use it to create various dishes, and provide a decoration point.
To finish, I wanted to mention that on various occasions to make some type of sauce, the shallot is also usually blended, for this we will obviously need a blender, and also prepare the shallot. By preparing, I mean that it is not convenient to put the whole shallot directly into the blender, since it could create problems, and besides, the shallot is usually cooked first before cooking it. Therefore, to prepare the shallot, the most appropriate thing would be to cut the shallot into squares, as small as possible, so that in this way it is easier for the blender to blend correctly and faster. Obviously if we have a very good blender it would be enough to cut it in half or even put it in whole, but with a basic blender, this will be the best to make sure that the blender has enough power to cut.
