Blooming Onion With Dip
1 sweet onion; Texas, vidalia, Walla Walla
or Maui
water
1 egg — beaten
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup cracker crumbs or coating mix
oil — for deep frying
Select a well-rounded onion. Peel outer skin off. Leave root intact; cut off any hanging roots. Using small, sharp knife, divide onion into four sections by making 2 cuts crosswise, beginning at the top and cutting toward root, stopping about 1/2 inch away. Cut each section twice. Place onion in bowl of enough boiling water to cover it and leave for 5 minutes. The sections, or “petals” will begin to open. Remove onion from hot water and immerse into ice water, to help the opening. Drain well by turning upside down on paper towel. Put flour into paper bag, add onion and shake gently to coat with flour. Roll floured onion in beaten egg to cover. Put cracker crumbs or coating mix in paper bag, add onion and shake gently to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before deep frying in oil to golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Cooked onion may be kept for a time in warm oven. The “Outback Steakhouse” serves this with a delicious hot-hot sauce to dunk’ in. They also add hot spices to the flour and/or coating mix.
LONE STAR DIPPER WITH CHILI CREAM SAUCE
1 large spring sweet onion, at least 4 inches across
1/3 cup cornstarch
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch each paprika, black pepper and cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup cold water
1/3 cup flour, for dredging
4 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying
Chili cream sauce (see below)
In medium bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, seasonings and baking powder. Using wire whisk, gradually beat in water and whip until smooth. Set aside.
Remove crisp outer skin of onion and trim roots, but do not cut into onion. Cut about 3/4-inch from top of onion. Then, cut crosswise directly down center of onion, being careful not to cut completely through bottom. Turn onion and cut crosswise down through center 7 more times to get 16 pie-shaped wedges. Remove small pieces in center to form a cavity about 1 inch across. Gently separate and spread petals apart.
Heat vegetable oil to 375 degrees in deep, heavy skillet or deep fat frying pot.
Place onion flower upright on flat surface and sift or spoon flour between and over all petals until thoroughly coated. Turn onion flower over and repeat on bottom. Shake off excess.
Dip floured onion into batter, spooning batter between all petals. Invert and let excess drip off.
Carefully place in hot oil, petals up, and fry for 2 minutes. Turn over and fry 2 minutes longer, or until golden brown and tender. Drain. Turn upright and serve immediately with chili cream sauce. Makes 4 servings
Carrots in Tomato Sauce
2 lbs. carrots
1 medium sweet onion
1 small green pepper
1 can of cream of tomato soup
½ cup salad oil
1 cup sugar
¾ cup vinegar
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1. Cook the carrots and drain and allow to cool.
2. Cut the pepper and onion into thin slices.
3. Mix together with cooled carrots.
4. Marinate using the remaining ingredients for at least 12 hours.