Onion Petals (aka Chili's Awesome Blossom, remake)

Like most of ya'll, I can easily recall being in my early 20's & watching everyone go crazy over those onion blossoms, from Chili's.  At the time, I was working there so I watched them go flying off shelves like there was no tomorrow.  But no one, I knew, could duplicate what they were able to pull off in that commercial kitchen, until now.  Here is a simple way to enjoy this amazing treat in your own home & with your family.  We don't deep fry very often so when it happens, you know it's for something that is fantastic!!  One bite & my entire family was instantly hooked.  My father, who is rarely seem without a giant potato on his plate for dinner was eating these as fast as we could pull them out of the fryer.  My mom pulled out the deviled egg plate & they fit perfectly!  And when they were gone, I could have swore I heard Taps playing in the background.  

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, large

2 large eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp white pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp cumin

3/4 cup vegetable oil

Cut off both ends of the onion, cut in half & then in quarters.  In 2 separate shallow dishes, combine 1 with eggs & buttermilk, set aside.  Combine 2nd dish with flour, salt, pepper, cayenne, paprika, cumin.  Dip onion in egg mixture, then dredge in flour, shake off any excess.  Place in deep fryer & cook til brown, about 1-2 mins.  Be sure and do it in small batches so that they won't stick together.  Remove & place on paper towel to drain.  Serve with jalapeno mayonnaise (recipe to follow).  

Jalapeno Mayonnaise

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tsp dried jalapenos

1 large garlic clove, grated (2 small)

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp onion powder

8-10 dashes hot sauce

salt & pepper to taste

Mix together & let marinate for several hours or overnight.  

IDEAS: We have served the mayo with chili, as a dressing for a salad, spread on sandwiches & I even spread it on sourdough bread, then topped it with cheese & stuck it in the broiler to make a spicy cheese toast (my personal favorite).