The Ultimate (Bloomin) Onion

From Gloria's recipe card box

bloomed onion with dip in the middle
Yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups Cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 tsp garlic salt
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 24 oz beer
  • 4 to 6 colossal onion, 4" diameter or larger
  • seasoned flour, as needed
  • 1 quart creamy chili sauce
Directions:

  1. Mix cornstarch, flour and seasonings until well-blended. Add beer; mix well. cut about 3/4 inch off top of onion; peel onion.
  2. Cut into onion 12 to 16 vertical wedges, but do not cut through bottom (root end). Remove about 1 inch of "petals" from center of onion.
  3. Dip cut onion in seasoned flour and remove excess by shaking; dip in batter and remove excess by gently shaking. Separate "petals" to coat thoroughly with batter. Mix batter after standing to blend ingredients. Gently place in fryer basket and deep-fry at 375 to 400 F 1 1/2 minutes. turn over and fry 1 1/2 minutes longer or until golden brown.
  4. Drain on paper towels. Place onion upright in shallow bowl and remove center core with circular cutter or apple corer. Serve hot with creamy chili sauce.
Seasoned Flour: Combine 2 cups flour, 4 tsp paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; mix well. 

Creamy chili sauce: Combine 1 pint each mayonnaise, dairy sour cream, 1/2 cup chili sauce, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; mix well