Bloomin Onion Petals With Dipping Sauce Recipe 485

Steps:

• Put flour in one medium bowl, milk in a second larger bowl, and all other ingredients in a third large bowl. Cut one large onion into large slivers of desired size. Dip each sliver into the flour, then the milk, then the spice mixture. Repeat this process with each sliver twice. Deep fry onion petals in hot oil until they are golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. For the dipping sauce: 1/2 cup mayo 2 tsp. ketchup 2 Tbsp. horseradish 1/4 tsp. paprika 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. oregano Dash of black pepper Dash of cayenne pepper

Steps:

• To make sauce: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, 1/3 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon oregano, a dash ground black pepper and cayenne pepper; mix well. Keep sauce covered in refrigerator until needed.
• To make the batter: In a medium bowl, beat egg and add milk. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, ground black pepper, oregano, thyme and cumin; mix.
• To slice onion: slice 1 inch off of the top and bottom of the onion and remove the papery skin. Use a thin knife to cut a 1 inch diameter core out of the middle of the onion. Now use a very sharp, large knife to slice the onion several times down the center to create 'petals': First slice through the center of the onion to about three-fourths of the way down. Turn the onion 90 degrees and slice it again in an X across the first slice. Keep slicing the sections in half, very carefully until the onion has been cut 16 times. Do not cut down to the bottom of the onion. (The last 8 slices will be difficult, be careful).
• Spread the 'petals' of the onion apart. To help keep them separate you could plunge the onion into boiling water for 1 minute and then into cold water.
• Dip the onion into the milk mixture and then coat it liberally with the flour mixture. Again separate the petals and sprinkle the dry coating between them. Once you're sure the onion is well-coated, dip it back into the wet mixture and into the dry coating again. This double-dipping ensures you have a well-coated onion because some of the coating will wash off when you fry the onion.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep pot to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Make sure you use enough oil to completely cover the onion when it fries.
• Fry the onion right side up in the oil for 10 minutes or until it turns brown. When the onion has browned, remove it from the oil and let it drain on a rack or paper towels. Open the onion wider from the center so that you can put a small dish of the dipping sauce in the center.

Steps:

• Combine all of the dip ingredients in a bowl, cover and refrigerate.
• Slice the onion (see Cook's Note). Whisk the flour, cayenne, paprika, thyme, oregano, cumin and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. In a small deep bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and 1 cup water.
• Place the onion in a separate bowl, cut-side up, and pour all of the flour mixture on top. Cover the bowl with a plate, then shake back and forth to distribute the flour. Check to make sure the onion is fully coated, especially between the "petals." Lift the onion by the core, turn over and pat off the excess flour; reserve the bowl of flour.
• Using a slotted spoon, fully submerge the onion in the egg mixture (spoon on top, if necessary). Remove and let the excess egg drip off, then repeat the flouring process. Refrigerate the onion while you heat the oil.
• Fill a large deep pot with at least 3 inches of the oil, leaving 2 inches of space at the top. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 400 degrees. Pat off excess flour from the onion. Using a wire skimmer, carefully lower the onion into the oil, cut-side down. Adjust the heat so the oil temperature stays close to 350 degrees. Fry about 3 minutes, then turn the onion over and cook until golden, about 3 more minutes; drain on paper towels. Season with salt and serve with the dip.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven with tall sides to 350 degrees F. The oil should only come halfway up the sides of the pan, but should completely immerse the whole onion.
• Peel the skin off the onion, leaving the root end intact. Cut a small slice off the top. Starting at the top of the onion make a cut down 1 side toward the root, stopping 1/2-inch from the bottom. Make additional cuts at 1/8-inch intervals until there are cuts across the entire top of the onion.
• Rotate the onion so the cuts are horizontal to you. Continue to cut at 1/8-inch intervals, forming a checkerboard pattern across the entire top of the onion. To help the onion "bloom," gently spread the "petals."
• Combine the dry ingredients in a shallow bowl or pan. Dust the onion with the flour mixture. Combine milk and beaten egg in a small, deep bowl. Dip the dusted onion into the egg mixture and then back into the flour mixture.
• When the oil has reached 350 degrees F, carefully submerge the onion in the oil and fry for 10 minutes, turning as needed, until a golden color. Remove and drain the excess oil.
• Serve with a variety of sauces, such as a mild ranch dressing or a spicy barbecue sauce.

Steps:

• Mix it all together and enjoy as a dip for onions or french fries, or as a sandwich spread.