Blooming onion

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A blooming onion or onion blossom is a food dish consisting of one large fried vidalia onion which is cut to resemble a flower. It is served as an appetizer at several restaurants, such as the chain Outback Steakhouse.

Contents 1 Preparation 2 Other Uses 3 In Pop Culture 4 See also 5 External link

[edit] Preparation

The preparation can begin as much as 24 hours in advance. The top part of the Onion Bulb is cut off, and the outer skin is peeled off. The root section is left intact, but the loose hanging pieces are trimmed. The onion is then placed in a special cutting device that creates the desired cuts and shape. The onion is then soaked in ice water, cut side down, for up to 24 hours to reduce the intense flavor of the onion and allow the maximum 'bloom'. The onion is then allowed to dry briefly, and is dipped in a Egg Wash before being coated in a seasoned flower mixture. After it is cooked, the core piece, including the root, it removed, as this section tends to be under cooked. This section is then filled with dipping sauce in a cup.

[edit] Other Uses

"Blooming Onion" is also slang for a hollow point bullet, named so because it expands in the targets's body to a shape approximating the vegetable dish.

[edit] In Pop Culture

The blooming onion was a favorite food of Spike of the hit TV show Buffy The Vampire Slayer; several references were made about how "brilliant" it was that an onion and a flower could be the same thing.

[edit] See also

• French fries
• Onion rings

[edit] External link

• Recipe