Bloomin' Onion

1/3 cup Cornstarch, more if needed

1 1/2 cups Flour

2 teaspoons Garlic, mince

2 teaspoons Paprika

1 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Pepper

24 ounces Beer

4 To 6 Vidalia or Texas sweet onions, 4" diameter

Seasoned flour

2 cups Flour

4 teaspoons Paprika

2 teaspoons Garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Cayenne

Creamy Chili Sauce

1 pint Mayonnaise

1 pint Sour cream

1/2 cup Tomato chili sauce

1/2 teaspoon Cayenne

Mix cornstarch, flour and seasonings until well blended. Add beer, mix well. Cut about 3/4" off top of onion and peel. Cut into onion 12 to 16 vertical wedges but do not cut through bottom root end. Remove about 1" of petals from center of onion. Dip onion in seasoned flour and remove excess by shaking. Separate petals to coat thoroughly with batter. Gently place in fryer basket and deep-fry at 375 to 400 degrees F 1-1/2 minutes. Turn over and fry 1-1/2 minutes longer or until golden brown. 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.

Note: According to an email from Julie, whose husband once worked for the restaurant, they kept the onions in ice water before breading and frying. Thanks to Julie for this tip!

Seasoned Flour

Combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, pepper and cayenne and mix well.

Creamy Chili Sauce

Combine Mayonnaise, sour cream, chili sauce and cayenne and mix well. Source Outback Steak House, Miami, FL.