11 December, 2012
Easy Onion Rings
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil – for frying – about 3 cups
3 cups pancake mix
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 cups cold Seltzer water
3 large Vidalia onions
Preparation:
1. Add enough vegetable oil to an electric skillet to be 1 -2 inches deep and set the temperature for 380°, or if using a deep skillet or pan on the stove top, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat until it registers 380° on a deep-fat thermometer.
2. Peel the brown outer layer from the onions and discard. Cut the onions into ½ inch slices and separate into rings. Set aside.
3. Combine the pancake mix, chili powder and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add the cold Seltzer water, whisking until the batter is smooth with no large lumps.
4. Working with two or three onion slices at a time, drop the slices into the batter and completely coat them. Lift each one out with a fork and let the excess drip off, them transfer the ring into the oil. Fry the slices in small batches for about 2 minutes, turning once midway.
5. When golden brown and crisp, remove the rings and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt to taste and serve warm.
Notes:
Adding the chili powder may sound strange but don’t leave it out until you have tried it once – it is not a strong taste but it does add a great flavor to the batter.
Based on a recipe found in a Rachel Ray magazine.
If you have leftover seltzer water, it is easy to make a sparkling pink lemonade with it. Just mix together in a pitcher: the rest of the seltzer, the juice from 3 lemons, ¼ cup of sugar and ½ cup of cranberry juice. Stir and serve over ice.