How To Cut and Fry A Bloomin' Onion

Ingredients:

Batter

1/3 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
24 ounces beer
4 vidalia onions

Seasoned Flour

2 cups flour
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Creamy Chili Sauce

1 pint mayonnaise
1 pint sour cream
1/2 cup tomato chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons ketchup
2 teaspoons creamed horseradish
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
1 dash black pepper
1 dash cayenne

Directions:

For the seasoned flour

Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, pepper and cayenne-mix well.

Creamy Chili Sauce

Combine mayonaise, sour cream or greek yogurt (plain), chili sauce and cayenne-mix well.

Dipping Sauce

Blend everything together well and let sit for 2 hours-refrigerate- or overnight. 

And For The Batter

Mix cornstarch, flour and seasonings until well blended.
Add beer and mix well.
Cut about 3/4 inch off top of onion and peel.
Cut into onion 12-16 vertical wedges but do not cut through bottom root end.
Remove about 1 inch of petals from center of onion (You can place the cut onions in cold water for a few hours to help "open" them up -- just make sure that you drain them well).
Dip in seasoned flour and gently shake to remove excess.
Seperate peatls to coat thoroughly with batter.
Gently place in a fryer basket and deep fry at 375-400 for 1 1/2 minutes.
Turn over and fry 1 1/2 minutes more or until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels.
Place onion upright in a shallow bowl and remove center core with a circular cutter or apple corer.
Serve hot with chili sauce and dipping sauce. 

Source: Columbia Guarino