ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oil in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. (For tips on deep-frying, see page 19.)
• Whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce, and egg in a large, wide dish. Slip in the onion slices, and allow them to soak for 5 minutes.
• Toss the flour and cornmeal together in a large brown paper bag, and season with the seasoned salt and cayenne. Drop the onion rings into the paper bag in batches, and shake until they are covered.
• Slip the onion rings into the oil, and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Season with kosher salt as they come out of the fryer.
• ALTERNATIVE: Baked Onion Rings
• These are more tender than crisp, but that good onion flavor is still there.
• Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray two baking sheets with nonstick spray. Lay the battered rings out in a single layer on each sheet tray, and spray with the nonstick spray. Season with salt. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden.