Pages

Monday, June 28, 2010

Monday Munchies

bloomin-onion.jpg image by phoebebuffay328
To kickoff our new feature I thought I would share with you one of my all time favorite appetizers.  Let me preface it by saying I grew up in Georgia, not far from a little town famous for a particular vegatable...some of you might have heard of Vidalia onions...they are the sweetest most decilious onions in the world.  I can eat them like an apple everyday of the year (granted my husband probably wouldn't want to kiss me but they are worth it....maybe not).  The recipe is simple enough to make during the week for a quick appetizer, but great for parties.

Bloomin' Onion

Ingreditents for batter
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoon mince garlic (fresh works best)
2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper 
1 (24 oz) can of beer (choose one you don't mind drinking)
4 Vidalia onions

Ingredients for seasoned flour mixture
2 cups of flour
4 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne

Directions
1. Mix cornstarch, flour and seasonings until well blended
2. add beer, mix well, (don't drink too much)
3. cut about 3/4" off the top of the onion and peel.
4. Cut onion into 12-16 vertical wedges DO NOT CUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH!!!
5. remove about 1" of petals from the center of the onion
6. separate petals to coat thoroughly with batter

7. mix all ingredients for the seasoned flour mixture together
8. dip the onion into the seasoned flour mixture and remove excess by shaking
9. gently place in fryer basket and deep-fry at 375-400 degrees for 1 -1 1/2 minutes
10. Flip over and fry an additional 1 1/2 minutes or longer until golden brown.
11. Drain on paper towels.  
12. Place onion upright in shallow bowl and remove center core wiht circular cutter or apple corer.
13. Serve with dipping sauce of choice. (below is the recipe for my dipping sauce).


Chili Sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chili sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper


1 comment:

  1. as a "too-long" employee of he corporation that makes those wonderful things in that picture, i'd like to give you a secret! the onion will bloom best when soaked in water overnight, in the peel, but with the butt cut off. then, once you cut, soak again (overnight is best) but a few hours will do. that way when you dredge in the wet batter, then with holding the onion in one hand and getting the flour mixture in the other, you can dust it thoroughly. the onion will be bright big and beautiful! :)

    ReplyDelete