Onion Rings

(62)
med103031_0707_onionrings.jpg
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4

Delicately battered onion rings can be made at home without fuss; seltzer, or carbonated water, is the secret ingredient. Fried parsley adds a steakhouse flourish.

Ingredients

  • 1 Vidalia onion, sliced crosswise into thin rings

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

  • ½ cup cornstarch

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt

  • 1 can (12 ounces) seltzer or other carbonated water

  • 6 cups vegetable oil

  • Coarse salt

  • ½ cup fresh parsley leaves, washed and dried very well

Directions

  1. Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. Place onion rings in a large bowl of ice water for 10 minutes; drain and pat dry. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and seltzer.

  2. In a heavy 5-quart pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over high until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees. Working in 7 to 8 batches, place onions in batter; using your fingers, lift out, letting excess drip off. Carefully place in oil, making sure not to overcrowd pot; cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.

  3. Transfer rings to prepared baking sheet, and season with salt. Keep warm in a 250-degree oven. Return oil to 375 degrees before starting next batch.

  4. Once all the onion rings are done, place on a platter. Very carefully place parsley in pot (oil will spatter), and fry until crisp, 10 seconds; remove, using a spider or slotted spoon, and season with salt. Sprinkle onions with parsley.

Cook's Notes

A spider -- a wide and shallow wire skimmer -- is the best tool for removing onion rings and fried parsley from the hot oil; if you don't have one, use a big slotted spoon.

Related Articles