Breaded And Baked Vidalia Onion Rings With Cornmeal Recipes

CRISPY BAKED ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Slice the onions into 1/2-inch wide rings then place the rings in a bowl of water.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a second medium bowl, whisk together the egg whites and the mayonnaise. Add the breadcrumbs to a third medium bowl.
• Remove each onion ring from the water, shaking off any excess and then placing it immediately into the flour, tossing until it's thoroughly coated, then dip the onion ring into the egg white mixture until it's thoroughly coated and then into the breadcrumbs, pressing them firmly onto all sides of the onion ring. Place the onion ring on the prepared baking sheet and repeat the coating process with the remaining onion rings.
• Throughly spray the onion rings with cooking spray (this is optional, but it helps them brown more evenly). Bake the onion rings for 10 minutes then flip them once and bake an additional 5 minutes until they're golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

CRISPY VIDALIA ONION RINGS IN BUTTERMILK BATTER

Steps:

• In a 3-quart pot, preheat 4-inches oil to 375 degrees F.
• In a shallow bowl, combine flours, cayenne, paprika, salt, and white pepper. Pour the buttermilk into another shallow dish.
• Toss the onion rings in the flour mixture and shake off excess flour. Add to buttermilk mixture and make sure the rings are thoroughly coated. With a clean hand, add rings to flour mix again and shake off any excess flour.
• Begin to fry in preheated oil in small batches, 1/4 of total amount at a time. Cook onion rings for about 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally with metal tongs or slotted spoon, until crispy and browned. Drain on paper towels and keep in warm place (low oven, about 200 degrees F) until ready to serve. Sprinkle with extra salt, if needed.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, sweat onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add peppers and vegetable stock and stew until 1/2 of stock has evaporated. Add spices and chiles. Cover with vinegar and wine. Allow to cook, uncovered, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Let cool, then puree in a food processor, and season with pepper and salt, to taste.
• Yield: 3 cups Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour

CORNMEAL-FRIED ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Peel the onions, slice them 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick, and separate them into rings. Combine the buttermilk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add the onion rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes. (The onion rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• When you're ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot or Dutch oven. (A candy thermometer attached to the side of the pot will help you maintain the proper temperature.) Working in batches, lift some onions out of the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs. Don't crowd them! Place the finished onion rings on the baking sheet, sprinkle liberally with salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batch. Continue frying the onion rings and placing them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried. They will remain crisp in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

CRISPY BAKED ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Cut onions into 1/2-in. slices; separate into rings and place in a bowl. Cover with ice water; soak for 30 minutes. Drain., In a small bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. In another bowl, combine the bread crumbs, thyme, salt, paprika and pepper. Divide the crumb mixture among three large resealable plastic bags. Dip a third of the onions in the egg whites; add a few rings at a time to crumb mixture and shake to coat. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray., Repeat with remaining onions and crumb mixture. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.

SOUTHERN-STYLE ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside. Line 2 additional baking sheets or 1 tray with paper towels; set aside.
• Place 1 1/2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Pour the milk into a second shallow bowl. In a third bowl, stir together the cornmeal, 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and black pepper.
• Dip the onion rings first into the plain flour, then into the milk, and last into the cornmeal mixture. Place the breaded rings on the wax paper-lined baking sheets.
• Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, or deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Fry the onion rings a few at a time in the hot oil so they are not crowded, until golden brown. Drain on paper towel-lined baking sheets, and serve immediately.

BREADED AND BAKED VIDALIA ONION RINGS WITH CORNMEAL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray two baking sheets with nonstick olive oil spray, line them with parchment paper, and spray with another coating of olive oil spray. Combine the semolina, ancho powder, and two teaspoons salt in a shallow, flat-bottomed bowl and stir gently to combine. In another shallow, flat-bottomed bowl, combine the eggs and ¼ cup water and beat lightly. In a third shallow, flat-bottomed bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, chipotle powder, and the remaining two teaspoons salt, and stir gently to combine. Line up the bowls in a row and place them next to the baking sheets. Cut the onions into ⅓- to ½-inch slices. Do not break the rings apart. You'll have about 8 slices per onion. Holding one slice of onion gently so that the rings do not break, place the slice flat in the semolina, and pat some of the mixture on the top to coat the entire slice very well. Still holding the onion slice together, transfer it to the egg mixture and coat it with egg. Transfer the onion slice to the panko mixture and coat well, patting panko liberally and thoroughly on top (but not between the rings). Place the onion on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining onion slices and place on the sheet about one inch apart from each other. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until crunchy. These are best served immediately.