Awesome Blossom Onion Bites with Creamy Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup sour cream (For the sauce)
• 0.25 cup mayonnaise (For the sauce)
• 2 tbsp prepared horseradish (Use a generous portion; for the sauce)
• 2 tbsp ketchup (To add sweetness, acidity, and color to the sauce)
• cayenne pepper (A few shakes for the sauce and, optionally, more for serving)
• 1 yellow onion (Large or medium; should yield approximately 2 cups finely chopped onion, with the root removed)
• 1.5 tsp kosher salt (For salting the onion before rinsing)
• kosher salt (An additional pinch for the batter; omit or reduce if using garlic salt)
• freshly ground black pepper (To taste)
• cayenne pepper (A few shakes, to taste)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (Do not substitute garlic salt without adjusting the salt)
• 0.5 cup fine cornmeal (Cornmeal)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (Adjust slightly if necessary to achieve a very thick batter)
• 1 tsp baking powder (Do not use baking soda)
• 0.75 cup whole milk (Add gradually; the final batter should be very thick)
• 3 cup vegetable oil (For pan-frying; the video uses approximately 1.3 cm of depth, so not all of it is absorbed)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the sauce: place the sour cream in a bowl and add the mayonnaise, horseradish, and ketchup. Mix until smooth.

2. 2

   Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. Add a few shakes of cayenne pepper, mix again, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Reserve some cayenne for garnishing, if desired.

3. 3

   Cut approximately 2.5 cm from the top of the onion. Place the onion on its flat side and cut it in half through the root end.

4. 4

   Remove the skin and the tough outer layer, if it is firm. Keep the root out of the preparation and finely chop the onion: make vertical cuts followed by crosswise cuts of the same thickness, stopping before reaching the root.

5. 5

   Measure 2 cups of chopped onion and place it in a bowl. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, mix well, and let stand for 15 minutes so the salt draws out excess moisture.

6. 6

   Transfer the onion to a colander and rinse it very well under cold running water to remove the excess salt. Let it drain for a couple of minutes, then transfer it to a dry bowl.

7. 7

   Add a pinch of salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, cornmeal, all-purpose flour, and baking powder to the onion.

8. 8

   First, stir the onion with all the dry ingredients until well coated. Do not add the milk yet.

9. 9

   Add the milk and mix until a very thick batter forms. If it is too dry, add a little more milk; if it is too thin, incorporate a small amount of additional flour. Let the batter rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

10. 10

    While the batter rests, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350 °F (175 °C). Line a plate with paper towels and, if possible, keep a warm oven ready to keep the finished bites hot.

11. 11

    Form rounded portions of approximately 1 tbsp of batter using one spoon to scoop and another to push it off. Carefully place the portions in the hot oil without overcrowding the skillet; work in batches of about six pieces.

12. 12

    Fry the bites for about 3 minutes on the first side. After about 30 seconds, check with a spatula to make sure they have not stuck together, and gently separate them if necessary.

13. 13

    Flip each bite with a spatula, using a fork if needed to prevent splattering. Fry the second side for approximately 3 minutes, until golden brown and the edges look crisp.

14. 14

    For an even crispier texture, you can flip them a second time briefly. Carefully remove them after frying for about 6 minutes total and place them on the paper towel-lined plate.

15. 15

    Keep the finished bites in a warm oven while frying the rest. Serve hot with the chilled sauce and finish the sauce with another shake of cayenne pepper, if desired.

Notes

The amounts for the sauce, batter, and milk are not explicitly stated in the provided transcript; they were estimated to produce approximately 60 bites. Brining the onion is optional, but it helps improve the texture and flavor. Do not overcrowd the skillet, and control the oil temperature so the bites brown without burning.

Nutrition per serving

• snack
• appetizer
• vegetarian
• fried
• crispy
• American cuisine
• sharing
• onion