Bite Of Minnesota: Buttermilk Onion Rings

After the cold depths of winter, it's delightful to throw open the windows and get some fresh air circulating through the house. There's something about the smell of fresh spring air that brings feelings of hope. Maybe it's the snow melting or the trees blooming, but whatever it is, it's nice to smell the outdoors once again.

Having the ability to open windows also allows for me to make things that I hesitate to make when I can't get air circulating. Things like fried food and anything that involves a bunch of onions and garlic.

Now, I don't own a fryer and normally eat healthy, but from time to time I have a serious craving for onion rings. Since I have yet to find the perfect onion ring via local restaurants, I turn to frying them myself using my favorite Tyler Florence recipe. The batter has a kick to it from the cayenne (a few extra pinches never hurt) and it is crisp and flaky which allows for the onions flavor to shine. No one loves chomping into an onion ring with barely any onion!

I highly recommend using a thermometer to measure the oil temperature. It's really the key to getting a consistent golden brown when frying. Like Tyler Florence, I use peanut oil for my frying, but if you're frying for someone with nut allergies, switch it up to another frying oil.

Buttermilk Onion Rings
(from Tyler Florence)

1 c. flour
3 c. buttermilk
Cayenne pepper, to taste
2 large sweet onions, peeled and cut into rings
4 c. peanut oil
2 c. all purpose flour, seasoned generously with salt and pepper

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, buttermilk, and cayenne and salt to taste to make a batter.  Soak the onion rings in the batter for two hours or longer in the refrigerator. When ready to fry, heat the oil to 375°, or until a drop of batter sizzles.

Dredge the onion rings in seasoned flour and fry.  Turn in batches until tender and golden brown, 3-4 minutes.  Drain on paper towels and season with salt.  Serve immediately.

Crystal created Café Cyan in 2006 as a way to share recipes and inspire others to try new foods. In early 2009, she created a food blog for WCCO called Bite of Minnesota, which focuses on local food in Minnesota and the surrounding area.