Tennessee Onions

Tennessee Onions are a delicious Southern-inspired dish, often made by breading and deep-frying onion rings with a bit of spice. These crispy, flavorful onion rings are perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. Below is a simple recipe for making Tennessee Onions:

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions (preferably yellow or white onions)
• 1 cup buttermilk (for soaking)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt (plus extra for seasoning)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup cornmeal (for added crispiness)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Onions:

• Peel the onions and slice them into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick rings. Discard the inner pieces that are too small to fry, and separate the rings.

2. Soak the Onion Rings:

• Place the onion rings in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes to help the batter stick better and give them a slight tangy flavor.

3. Prepare the Coating:

• In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper.
• In another bowl, lightly beat the egg.
• In a third bowl, place the cornmeal for dredging the onion rings.

4. Coat the Onion Rings:

• After the onions have soaked in the buttermilk, take a few rings at a time and dip them into the flour mixture, coating them evenly.
• Next, dip the coated rings into the beaten egg, and then coat them in cornmeal for a crispy outer layer.
• Place the coated onion rings on a plate or tray and repeat until all rings are coated.

5. Fry the Onion Rings:

• Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil by dropping in a small bit of the batter – it should sizzle and float to the top.
• Fry the onion rings in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the rings and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

6. Serve:

• Season the fried onion rings with a pinch of salt while they are still hot.
• Serve your Tennessee Onions with a side of dipping sauce, such as ranch, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.

Enjoy your crispy and flavorful Tennessee Onions – a perfect treat for any occasion!