Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Guinness Battered Onion Rings

One night last month I came home from a London trip to find a kitchen full of teenage guys hovering around our deep fryer. My son and a few friends had gotten the ingredients to deep fry potatoes, onions and Oreos....yes, Oreos! After a few nibbles on some very good French fries, I went upstairs to change and to give them the freedom to be creative. A few minutes later my son came up with a plate of onion rings (I was glad it wasn't an Oreo!). I took a bite and asked what the spice on them was. It was my homemade chili powder and salt. Oh, they were good. I rarely fry anything and only have the deep fryer because he wanted it a few years ago. Well, he is back to college now and I still couldn't stop thinking about those onion rings. On Sunday I decided to experiment and make my own. I've never made a beer batter, but I thought it sounded good, even though my son had just used a regular batter. I looked in the reliable "Joy of Cooking" cookbook, and pared down and simplified a recipe there. I wanted a fuller flavor so I made it with Guinness. I just substituted the beer for a Guinness Extra Stout. Just as I was taking out the first round, my neighbor knocked on the door. We tested them hot from the pot, with a sprinkling of fleur de sel and homemade chili powder. They got a 2 thumbs up. We ate a few more and I took some pics before the light faded. I sent her home with a plate full and the rest of the batter. They were a huge hit next door, too.

The following day we got a snow-sleet-ice-freezing rain storm. Everything was a mess. I managed to shovel a narrow path of the cement like snow from my front steps. Later in the afternoon I heard a rustling and scraping sound out front. I opened up my front door and there was my neighbors husband shoveling my whole front steps. When I went to thank him, He replied with something that sounded a lot like onion rings!!! I think we both made out well!
Guinness Battered Onion Rings

3 onions sliced in 1/2 inch slices
About 1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups flour
12 ounces Guinness Extra Stout beer
1 extra large egg, separated
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups canola oil

Put the onion slices in a medium bowl and pour the milk over them. Let them sit about an hour, tossing occasionally. In another medium bowl, mix the Guinness into the flour while stirring. Stir in the egg yolk and salt. Let sit for about one hour. Just before deep frying, beat the egg whites until stiff. Gently fold the egg white into the beer batter.

Over medium high heat, heat the oil in a medium size pot or deep fryer to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towels. Drain the milk from the onions and put them into the batter. Carefully drop onion slices in the hot oil, one at a time without overcrowding. Add only as many as you can so they do not overlap. You'll need to make several batches, but since they cook so quickly it will go fast. Using 2 forks or tongs, turn the onions when they are brown on one side. Remove from the oil when both sides are a golden brown and put on the paper towel lined baking sheet. They brown within a few minutes, so keep an eye on them. Keep frying the onion slices until all are fried.

Sprinkle with homemade chili powder and salt to taste and serve hot.

Diane's Fire Breathing Chili Powder

Increase the "fire" by slowly adding more of the ground peppers
1 tablespoon ground ancho chilies

1 tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon ground chipotle pepper

3 tablespoons ground cumin

2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground dried oregano

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon salt


Mix all ingredients together, being careful not to breathe in the pepper. Store in an ai
r tight container. Makes approximately 3/4 cup.


Guinness Battered Onion Rings recipe click here.

Diane's Fire Breathing Chili Powder click here.

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20 comments:

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Awwwww ... a bunch of teenage guys hovering around the deep fryer is just so sweet and adorable! Real men cook!!! Guiness is a great idea. The onion rings look so crispy!! Did you know that during my grandparents/parents' time, when herbal tonics were very expensive, people who wanted to boost their health would drink a glass of Guiness (with a raw egg in it)? It works wonders. Some older folks still look for Guiness Stout whenever they feel weak. ;) Trivia for the day! LOL.

Sook said...

I love onion rings! I haven't tried this recipe before but sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

There is nothing like a great onion ring from time to time...yours look wonderful!
We always have Guinness around...I will have to give that try...

Dragana Arezina Harris said...

I had 'battered' and fried Oreos at an event a couple years ago and I must admit that they were very good and addicting. You should get your son to experiment...or not!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Diane this is awesome! Go college kids!

Your new bright blog is so happy and pretty. I love the look!

I want to make your chili powder too. I think I'll just print this off.

Laura

Mrs Ergül said...

Wow! You made me craving for onion rings right away! And I'm having a really really bad sore throat and the doctor ordered NO Fried Food...

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

They look fantastic DIANE! ;D

Love the photo of the ring and the Guinness. ~m

Melanie said...

First- you are an awesome mom for raising a teenager like that!!

Second- those onion rings look sooooooo yummy!! I have to try them!

Carrie said...

This sounds like such a perfect party snack! There's not a lot better than Guinness and onion rings, but I've never seen Guinness used for a beer batter for them. Awesome idea! I love the pic of the bottle.

La Table De Nana said...

MMMMMMMm! They look sooo good..I would galdly munch on some.. Love the ringed beer:)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I'm a big fan of Guinness...and love the idea of using it with onion rings! Thanks.

Riley/Elizabeth
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen
Mystery Writing is Murder

Karen @ Mignardise said...

Onion rings are one of my favorite foods. If I ever learn to make them myself, I am in BIG touble.
Thanks, Diane, but I'll just stick to the chili powder, which sounds awesome enough.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Onion rings are one of my husband's favorites. We can't eat just one.
Sam

linda said...

your son is a very creative person...& thoughtful!
i am going to make these rings for a "fun" dinner party i am planning!
in addition, i would like to re-post the below comment from "and the winners are..."
dear diane,
& to all those that offered words of congratulations...
the himalayan sea salts with grater & fleur de sel just arrived!!
the packaging presentation was so very lovely &... the SALTS...i cannot wait to use both salts & compare.
thank you so diane... & for your kind note.
i look forward to "virtually" breaking bread with you...all the best!!!

maybe some salt grated on the finished onion rings!!

Umm Chef said...

Wow, this makes me want to make onion rings....for breakfast. Thanks!

Zurin said...

What a lovely story! I can picture those young men hovering around the kitchen...so charming.

You never know what a plate of onion rings will do too...! :))

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

I love onion rings and yours look perfect! My favorite part of your story is your son bringing you a plate of his cooking prowess!!

So glad you included how you made your chili salt. I can't wait to try that, too!!

Thibeault's Table said...

Diane, I thought I had already left a comment.

I love onion rings and the idea of your beer batter. They look great.

Kate at Serendipity said...

I love onion rings too, and these look like real winners. I also LOVE your chili powder mix. What a faboo idea!

Anonymous said...

Your chili powder is the best ever! I made mexican corn & i used your chili powder. I will never used a jar or packet of chili powder ever again. I will be trying your onion rings as soon as i buy some Guinness.