Onion Strings

We met up with friends for dinner last Friday.  Before going out, we got together at our house for a round of drinks and David decided he wanted to make a small appetizer to have before going out.  After some searching, we decided to work together and make these onion strings because they looked sooo good.  And boy were they.  All of us wound up in the kitchen eating them as they came out of the oil.  There was no time to transfer them to a pretty plate and serve them so I apologize for the lousy picture.  I was lucky to get this one.  Next time we make them we may add a little more cayenne pepper to the breading but other than that they were great.  We let them soak in the buttermilk for close to 3 hours which most likely helped make them very tender.

Now we just ate them plain but these would probably be fabulous on burgers or in salads or toppings for a baked potato soup. I think I am going to eventually try using them in all the above ways!

Onion Strings
From The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Ingredients:
1 Whole large onion
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups all-purspose flour
1 tbsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1.5 quarts canola oil
Black pepper to taste

Directions:
Slice onion very thin.  Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk and soak for at least an hour.  Combine dry ingredients and set aside.

Heat oil to 375 degrees F.  Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tap to shake off excess and drop into hot oil.  Fry for a few minutes and remove as soon as golden brown.  Sprinkle with salt and/or pepper if desired.  Repeat until onions are all fried.