Bloomin' Onion with Dipping Sauce
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 400 per serving
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 large Vidalia onion (approximately 1 pound)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika (for batter)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (for batter)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (for batter)
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk
Directions:
To create the dipping sauce, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, prepared horseradish, sweet paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a small mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly to combine, then transfer to a serving bowl and cover until you're ready to serve.
For the fried onion, heat vegetable oil in a fryer or large pot to 375 degrees F. Begin by trimming the onion to form a flat top. Carefully slice the onion to quarter it while keeping it intact at the root; gently open the sections of the onion.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, sweet paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In another bowl, pour the buttermilk. Dust the onion lightly with flour, then dip it into the buttermilk to coat thoroughly. Finally, dredge the onion in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating before frying it in hot oil for 4 to 6 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
After frying, remove the onion from the oil and set it on paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Serve the blooming onion alongside your prepared dipping sauce.