Onion Rings

These are crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside with a great flavor. They are a little time consuming, but well worth the effort.

ONION RINGS 

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

*1 large onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices

*2 cups all-purpose flour

*1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon paprika

*1 teaspoon garlic powder

*1 teaspoon seasoned salt

*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

*1 egg

*1 cup butter milk

*1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt

*1-2 cups Panko crumbs

*1 quart oil, for frying

Directions:

~Heat the oil in a deep-fryer (or large frying pan, cast iron is best).

~Separate the onions into rings, and set aside.

~Ground up panko crumbs in a blender, or food processor.

~In a paper bag (or a bowl with a cover), put flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, & cayenne pepper. Close bag and shake, mixing all ingredients.

~Dip the onion slices into the flour mixture until they are coated; set aside.

~Whisk the egg, buttermilk & seasoned salt into a medium bowl.

~Add flour mixture (that is in bag) to the egg/milk mixture, using a fork to mix.

~Dip the onion rings into the batter, coating entire onion.

~Place onion ring on a wire rack (I keep paper towel under rack) to drain until the batter stops dripping.

~Dip in four mixture again.

~Dip in egg wash again.

~Place onion ring on wire rack again, until batter stops dripping.

~Spread the bread crumbs out on a cookie sheet. (I only put half of the bread crumbs on the plate. Once those get pretty gooey, I throw those out and use the rest of the dry ones)

~Place the onion rings one at a time into the Panko crumbs, scoop the crumbs up over the topto the onion to coat.

~Give the onion rings a tap to remove the excess crumbs.

~Fry the onion rings a few at a time for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown.

~Place on paper towels to drain.

~Season with a shake of seasoning salt, if necessary.

Variation:

`Substitute Pano crumbs for Italian bread crumbs.

`Substitute onion for sliced zucchini.

`Substitute onion for whole dill pickles.

`Add the same seasonings you are adding to the flour, to the butter too.

`Bake onion rings instead of frying (not as good, but better for you). Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place them on a cookie sheet. Drizzle Extra Virgin Olive Oil on them. Bake for 10 minutes, flip and bake for another 10 minutes.

Helpful Hint:

Heat oven to 200. When onion rings come out the of the oil, place on a papertowel lined cookie sheet. Place cooked onion rings in oven. This will keep them warm while you are make the rest of the onion rings.

Dipping Sauce Ingredients:

*1/2 cup mayonnaise

*1 tablespoon ketchup

*2 tablespoons horseradish sauce (cream style is best)

*1/2 teaspoon paprika

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

*1/4 teaspoon black pepper

*1 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

~In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients.

~Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. If you don't it will taste more mayonnaise than the yummy dipping sauce.

Variation:

`Substitute mayonnaise for sour cream..