How to clean and peel shallots easily

Shallots are those tiny, cute onions with a strong flavour and fragrance, and they enjoy a high chair in Kerala kitchens. Be it an extravagant biryani or a humble chutney, shallots just have to be there to give them a finishing touch. But what it takes to prep them for these dishes could be a nightmare for every beginner chef. They are hard to peel, burn your eyes, and don't get us started on how hard it is to get rid of the smell from your hands.

Well, Onmanorama Food is here to the rescue. We will give you a rundown on how to clean, peel and prep shallots while keeping your tears and the stench at bay.

Step 1

Always make sure your shallots are fresh. Check whether they are in good condition.

Step 2

Run them a bath by soaking in warm water.

Step 3

After one minute, rub the shallots using your fingers. You would notice the skin easily peeing off. Now take them out and discard the skin.

Step 4

Rinse the shallots again in clean water. Cut the edges before using the shallots.

To get rid of the smell on your hands, rub half a lemon on to the skin and wash it off. Wash again with a fragrant soap and you are good to go. It you do not have lemons, try the toothpaste method, apply a pinch of it on to the skin and rub your palms together, before washing it off.