Fried Onion Rings
- Preparing Time: -
- Total Time: -
- Served Person: Makes about 40 onion rings (4 to 6 side-dish servings)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- a deep-fat thermometer
Preparation Cut onions crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices and separate slices into rings, reserving small inner rings for another use if desired. Stir together buttermilk, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl, then gently stir in onion rings. Let stand, turning occasionally, 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. Whisk together flour, remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and remaining teaspoon pepper in a wide shallow bowl. Dredge onion rings a few at a time in flour, shaking off excess, and arrange in 1 layer on wax-paper-lined trays. Let onions stand 15 minutes (for batter to set). Preheat oven to 200°F. Melt enough shortening in a deep 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet to measure about 1 inch and heat over moderately high heat until it registers 360°F on thermometer. Fry onion rings in batches of 4 to 6, without crowding, turning over once or twice, until golden, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer as cooked to paper towels to drain, then transfer to 1 or 2 large baking sheets (overlap rings slightly if necessary) and keep warm in oven while frying remaining batches. (Return oil to 360°F between batches.) Serve immediately.
Preparation Cut onions crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices and separate slices into rings, reserving small inner rings for another use if desired. Stir together buttermilk, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl, then gently stir in onion rings. Let stand, turning occasionally, 10 minutes. Drain in a colander. Whisk together flour, remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and remaining teaspoon pepper in a wide shallow bowl. Dredge onion rings a few at a time in flour, shaking off excess, and arrange in 1 layer on wax-paper-lined trays. Let onions stand 15 minutes (for batter to set). Preheat oven to 200°F. Melt enough shortening in a deep 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet to measure about 1 inch and heat over moderately high heat until it registers 360°F on thermometer. Fry onion rings in batches of 4 to 6, without crowding, turning over once or twice, until golden, about 3 minutes per batch. Transfer as cooked to paper towels to drain, then transfer to 1 or 2 large baking sheets (overlap rings slightly if necessary) and keep warm in oven while frying remaining batches. (Return oil to 360°F between batches.) Serve immediately.
