How to Slice an Onion for Basque Chicken
Basque chicken is a delicious traditional dish from the Basque region that is situated along the Pyrenees mountains on the Atlantic coast. Because it spans the border between France and Spain, Basque cuisine shares characteristics of both rich culinary traditions.
Like many cultural dishes from rich traditions, there are different versions of Basque chicken depending upon the family recipe and availability of ingredients. It is typically a baked, broiled or stewed chicken dish that involves a rich tomato-based sauce with elements of pepper and smoked paprika. Commonly found additions will include olives, bell peppers, potato, sweet potato and a variety of other vegetables. Onions in particular add a very nice and flavorful touch to a Basque chicken dish. Onions in nearly any shape or form will be a delicious addition, but the most popular way to include them is in medium sized thin rectangular pieces or strips.
Items needed:
- Sharp chef's knife or other medium sized knife
- Cutting board
- Onion
How to slice an onion for Basque chicken:
- Slice off the two polar ends of the onion to get rid of the root and stem ends. This will also allow the onion to rest flatly on the cutting board.
- Resting the onion on one resulting flat end, cut the onion in half resulting in two half-sphere pieces.
- Remove the peel and discard.
- With each onion piece, rest it on the largest flat side and slice vertically, creating evenly sized strips.