Mini Bloomin Onion Food

MINI ONION BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• For the onion blossoms: Slice off the tip of each onion and gently peel and remove the outer skin. Turn an onion root-side down and make 4 vertical cuts with a paring knife at 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock, leaving the base intact to create petals. Repeat this process for each onion.
• Add about 3 inches of oil to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F over medium heat.
• Whisk together the flour, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika, seasoning salt and cayenne in a large bowl or shallow dish. Combine the buttermilk and egg in another large bowl.
• Place the onions in the flour mixture with a spoon, tossing slightly until they are well coated; shake off any excess. Submerge the onions cut-side up in the buttermilk mixture. Drain the onions slightly, then dredge them back in the flour mixture, making sure to coat each petal.
• Carefully place each onion root-side down into the hot oil with a slotted spoon and fry, flipping once, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate or cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining onions. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm with the dipping sauce.
• For the dipping sauce: Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, horseradish, cayenne, pepper and salt in a small bowl.

ALMOST-FAMOUS BLOOMIN' ONION

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.

ONION BLOSSOM BITES

Steps:

• Slice about 1/4 inch off the top of each onion and slice off just a little bit of the root end, making sure the root is still intact. Peel each onion. Using a paring knife, make a slice from the top of each onion into the center and down to about 1/4 inch above the root. Repeat the cuts going around the onion, spacing them out by 1/3 inch to form the "petals" of the blossom. Once all the cuts have been made, press down on the top of the onion with the palm of your hand to help separate the petals. Repeat with the remaining onions.
• Fill a medium heavy-bottomed pot with enough canola oil so it comes up the sides about 3 inches. Heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F.
• In a pie dish, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. In a second pie dish, whisk together the milk and eggs. Working in batches, coat the onions in the egg wash, then dredge in the flour mixture, making sure the onions are coated and the flour mixture gets into all the crevasses of the onion "petals." Place on a plate.
• Fry the onions in batches until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Season with a bit more salt. Serve with Onion Blossom Sauce.
• Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, hot sauce, horseradish, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder in a bowl and mix until blended.

MINI BLOOMIN ONION

Steps:

• Take a small to medium onion and cut the top off (about 1/4th of the onion).
• Peel away the outer skin but leave the root on.
• With a knife cut wedge shapes in it.
• But here's the trick -- take two wooden cooking spoons and rest the onion between them root down.
• Now slice wedges into the onion as you would cut a pizza.
• Doing this keeps the onion together at the base therefore allowing a bloomin onion result.
• Gently (with a knife) separate the sections from one another.
• Fry each one for a minute or so (depends on the size of the onion).
• These small onions will open up quickly and cook quickly so please understand this takes a little practice.
• Once its bloomin take it out of the grease and season it lightly with creole seasoning or cajun spice.
• You could also add remolade or rosette sauce on top to finish it.
• Variation: You can also batter them by mixing 1 cup of Bisquick and 1/2 cup of cornstarch in 2 cups of milk.
• Make a paste first with a little milk before adding all the milk.
• Soak the onions for about 30 minutes then dust them with flour and seasoning.
• Open the onion a little as you do it.
• Let the onions sit at least 5 minutes before frying.

BAKED BLOOMIN' ONION

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425.
• Peel onions. Cut the bottom level but leave core intact.
• Cut onion 6 ways to make petals, carefully loosening. It will bloom more when cooked.
• Place flour salt and seasonings in zip lock bag.
• Spray onions with cooking spray, place in bag and shake gently.
• Remove onion and shake excess off.
• Place on baking sheet and spray again with cooking spray to aid in browning.
• Bake 35 to 45 minutes until tender.
• Serve with ranch dressing.