Ultimate Blossom Onion Delight
Indulge in the crunchy, flavorful experience of our Ultimate Blossom Onion Delight, inspired by the famous Chili's Awesome Blossom. This recipe guides you step-by-step in creating a perfectly crispy, blooming onion that’s ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a delightful appetizer. This dish features a rich blend of spices and a creamy dipping sauce that will impress your guests and please your taste buds. Follow this detailed guide to create a stunning centerpiece for your next meal.
N/A
Servings
900
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
prepared onion
1 (cut into a blooming shape)
flour
2 1/2 cups (for coating)
McCormick seasoning salt
2 1/2 teaspoons (mixed into the flour and for the dipping sauce)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (fresh coarse ground)
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (for flavor)
buttermilk
1 cup (for dipping)
sour cream
1/2 cup (for dipping sauce)
ketchup
2 tablespoons (for dipping sauce)
red pepper
1/8 teaspoon (for seasoning and garnish)
fresh horseradish
1 1/2 teaspoons (for dipping sauce)
paprika
1/4 teaspoon (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by mixing all the dry ingredients in a bowl: 2 1/2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of McCormick seasoning salt, 1/2 teaspoon of fresh coarse ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper.
2
Prepare the onion by cutting off the top 1/4 inch, making sure to keep the root intact.
3
Peel the onion carefully, ensuring you don't damage the layers.
4
Slice the onion into petal-like sections by making cuts from the top down to about 1/2 inch from the root, akin to slicing a pie. Be cautious not to cut through the root.
5
Soak the prepared onion in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 minutes. This helps the petals open and bloom.
6
After soaking, drain the onion and fully coat it in the flour mixture, ensuring all petals are covered.
7
Dip the floured onion into 1 cup of buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then return it to the flour mixture for a second coating.
8
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot until it reaches 375°F (190°C). The oil should be enough to cover the onion.
9
Carefully place the onion in the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Turn occasionally for even cooking.
10
Once cooked, remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Cut out the center of the onion to create an easy removal for the petals.
11
To make the dipping sauce, combine 1/2 cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1/2 teaspoon of McCormick seasoning salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh horseradish, and 1/4 teaspoon of paprika. Mix well.
12
Serve the blooming onion on a plate with the dipping sauce in the center. Garnish with additional paprika and a dash of red pepper for an appealing presentation.
Nutrition Information
45g
Fat
110g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Blossom Onion Delight?
It is a crunchy, flavorful appetizer inspired by Chili's Awesome Blossom, consisting of a crispy, blooming fried onion served with a creamy dipping sauce.
How do I prepare the onion for slicing?
Cut off the top 1/4 inch of the onion while keeping the root intact, then carefully peel the outer layers.
How do I create the 'petal' look for the onion?
Slice the onion from the top down to about 1/2 inch from the root, making cuts similar to slicing a pie, without cutting through the root.
How long should the onion soak in water?
The onion should soak in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 minutes to help the petals open and bloom.
What are the dry ingredients for the coating?
The coating consists of 2 1/2 cups of flour, 2 teaspoons of McCormick seasoning salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon red pepper.
What liquid is used for dipping the onion?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of buttermilk to be used between the first and second flour coatings.
What temperature should the frying oil be?
The oil should reach a temperature of 375°F (190°C) before frying.
How long does the onion need to fry?
Fry the onion for approximately 10 minutes until it is golden brown, turning it occasionally for even cooking.
What ingredients are in the dipping sauce?
The sauce contains 1/2 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1/2 teaspoon McCormick seasoning salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh horseradish, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika.
How should I serve the blooming onion?
Serve on a plate with the dipping sauce in the center, garnished with additional paprika and a dash of red pepper.
How many calories are in this recipe?
The recipe contains approximately 900 calories.
What is the fat content of the Ultimate Blossom Onion Delight?
This dish contains 45g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 110g of carbohydrates in this recipe.
How much protein is in the recipe?
The recipe contains 15g of protein.
Is fresh horseradish necessary for the sauce?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh horseradish to achieve the intended flavor profile.
Why do I need to cut out the center of the fried onion?
Cutting out the center after frying makes it easier for guests to remove the individual petals.
What is the purpose of seasoning salt in this recipe?
McCormick seasoning salt is used to flavor both the flour coating and the creamy dipping sauce.
Can I use regular salt instead of seasoning salt?
The recipe specifically calls for McCormick seasoning salt to replicate the signature 'Blossom' taste.
What kind of pepper is used in the flour mixture?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of fresh coarse ground black pepper and 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper.
How many onions does this recipe require?
This recipe requires 1 prepared onion cut into a blooming shape.
Is there any garlic in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder is mixed into the flour for flavor.
How many total ingredients are needed?
There are 11 ingredients total, including the onion, coating components, and sauce ingredients.
What is the final garnish for the dish?
The dish is garnished with paprika and a dash of red pepper for presentation.
Is this a good dish for parties?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'party food' and 'shareable' appetizer, making it ideal for gatherings.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include appetizer, onion, bloomin onion, fried onion, finger food, party food, shareable, sauce, and pub food.
How do I ensure the petals are fully coated?
Ensure you coat the onion in flour, dip in buttermilk, and then return it to the flour mixture a second time to cover all petals.
What should I do after removing the onion from the oil?
Remove the onion from the oil and allow it to drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
How much ketchup is in the dipping sauce?
The dipping sauce requires 2 tablespoons of ketchup.
What kind of sour cream should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of standard sour cream for the base of the sauce.
Why is ice-cold water used for soaking?
Ice-cold water helps the onion petals open up more effectively before the coating process.