Beautiful Flowering Onion

This recipe takes a little time and patience, however, the end result is so worth it.

The recipe makes enough for 2 onions.

Today I am only cooking one, so the remaining ingredients I will keep for tomorrow.

Ingredients

1 Large white sweet onion

A bowl of Iced Water

2 wooden spoons

Air fryer

A Strip of kitchen foil to make a sling for the onion

Onion Flouring Dredge Mixture

1. 1 cup flour, I used bread flour.

2. 1 Tbsp. Soft brown sugar.

3. 1 Tbsp. Sweet Paprika.

4. 1 Tsp salt

5. 1/2 Tsp black pepper.

6. 1/2 Tsp mild chilli powder.

7. 1/2 Tsp Oregano.

8. 1/2 Tsp Thyme.

9. 1/2 Tsp cumin

10. 1 cup flavoured breadcrumbs, I used Asda smoky Chipotle Breadcrumbs.
    

For the liquid dredge mixture

1. 1 cup Buttermilk

2. 2 medium sized eggs

For the dipping sauce

1. 4 Tbsp. Mayonnaise

2. 4 Tbs. Sour cream

3. 2 Tsp Tomato Ketchup

4. 1 Tsp Chilli sauce

5. 1 Tbsp. Horseradish sauce

6. 1/2 Tsp Salt

7. 1/2 Tsp pepper
   

Method

1. Cut off the very top of the onion and peel off the papery outer skin.

2. Turn the onion over and slice off the root. (Only the very end if needed).

3. Place the onion on a chopping board - Root side down.

4. Place a wooden spoon to the left of the onion and one to the right. The idea is to use these so that when you cut into the onion, the spoons prevent you from cutting all the way through.

5. Cut straight through the onion from top to bottom, Now turn the onion 45 degrees and do the same. You should now see the 4 quarters. Next, Cut in between these quarters so you end up seeing what looks like 8 sections.

6. Place the onion upside down into the iced water and leave to soak for 10 minutes.

7. Make the flower dredge by mixing the flour and herbs / spices together. DO NOT mix in the breadcrumbs to this mix.

8. Beat the eggs and the buttermilk together.

9. Remove the onion from the iced water and let it drain upside down whilst you preheat your air fryer.

10. Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes

11. Take a strip of kitchen foil about 2 feet long. With the long side facing you fold the foil in half from bottom to top. Then fold it again the same way. This is your onion sling.

12. Place the onion on a plate and opening the petals as you go spoon the flowering dredge mixture between the petals.

13. Next, spoon the liquid dredge mixture between the petals, just as you did the flour dredge, opening the petals as you work your way around the onion.

14. Finally, Spoon the flavoured breadcrumbs between the petals, opening them as you go.

15. Now it's time to place your onion onto the kitchen foil sling.

16. Lower the sling into the air fryer basket and scrunch the side to the outside of the basket.

17. Place another piece of foil over the onion to protect it for the first part of frying.

18. Place into the air fryer and cook at 180 degrees for 15 minutes.

19. Whilst this is cooking mix together all your dipping sauce ingredients, and chill it.

20. After the 15 minutes, remove the foil and cook for a further 10-15 minutes. You want the onion to be nicely golden with some charred bits on the tips of the petals.

21. When ready remove from the air fryer, and serve with whatever you fancy, we had some salad leaves, tomato & spring onion, together with the dipping sauce.

22. Dig in....It is delicious.
    

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