Fried Onion Rings

Sam and I like to watch Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.  One of the episodes which we saw included a recipe for fried onion rings!  I’ve never made them from scratch, and I haven’t eaten one in a long time- but they looked delicious!  So when we were thinking of a meal for Valentine’s Day, I sneaked these in.  I’ve decided that it is definitely worth making your own, yum! They were just the right crispiness, but not too soggy or greasy.

Fried Onion Rings
Adapted from: Barefoot Contessa

2 yellow onions, peeled & sliced 1/2-3/4 inch thick
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 quart peanut oil

Once the onions are sliced, separate the rings from each other.  In a medium bowl, combine buttermilk,  1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.  Add the onion rings, and toss well.  Marinate for at least 15 minutes, but it can be as long as several hours.  In a separate bowl combine the flour, cornmeal, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and cayenne. 

When you’re ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the over to 200 degrees.  Line a large plate with paper towels.  Heat the oil until air bubbles start to form, about 350 degrees, in a large pot.  In batches, take the onion rings out of the buttermilk marinade, and put them into the flour mixture and coat the rings.  Next, drop the onion ring into the hot oil, and fry for about 2 minutes.  Each onion ring should be golden brown, before turning over onto the other side.  Once the onion ring is fried, place on the plate with the paper towel.  Once some of the oil has dripped off, place the onion rings onto a cookie sheet and put into the oven.  Continue frying the onions, and placing them into the oven until you are finished.  They will stay crisp in the oven for about 30 minutes.