Creating the “best” blooming onion involves personal preferences, but I can certainly provide you with a general recipe for a delicious blooming onion. Keep in mind that this is just one approach, and you can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 large onion
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
- Prepare the Onion:
- Peel the onion and trim about 1/2 inch off the top (the side with the root).
- Cut about 1/2 inch off the bottom of the onion, making sure to leave the root intact.
- Place the onion cut-side down and make vertical cuts, starting about 1/2 inch from the root, and stop about 1/2 inch from the bottom. Make 4 or 5 evenly spaced cuts around the onion.
- Soak in Buttermilk:
- Place the prepared onion in a bowl and pour buttermilk over it. Make sure to get the buttermilk into all the layers of the onion. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
- Prepare the Coating:
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Onion:
- Preheat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
- Take the soaked onion and gently shake off excess buttermilk.
- Coat the onion with the flour mixture, making sure to get the coating into all the cuts.
- Fry the Onion:
- Carefully lower the coated onion into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove the onion from the oil and let it drain on paper towels.
- Serve:
- Place the blooming onion on a serving plate and serve it with your favorite dipping sauce, such as a spicy mayo or a creamy horseradish sauce.
Remember to adjust the seasoning to your liking, and feel free to experiment with different dipping sauces to enhance the flavor. Enjoy your homemade blooming onion!
