The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science

(Nandana) #1


  1.  Separate    the onion   rounds  into    individual  rings.  Place   in

    a gallon-sized zipper-lock freezer bag and put them in the
    freezer until completely frozen, at least 1 hour (they can
    stay in the freezer for up to 1 month).



  2. When ready to fry, remove the onion rings from the
    freezer bag, transfer to a bowl, and thaw under tepid
    running water. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet lined
    with a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper
    towels and dry the rings thoroughly. Carefully peel off
    the inner papery membrane from each ring and discard
    (the rings will be very floppy). Set aside.

  3. Preheat the oil to 375°F in a large wok or a Dutch oven
    over medium-high heat. Combine the flour, cornstarch,
    baking powder, baking soda, and paprika in a medium
    bowl and whisk together. Combine the beer and vodka in
    a small bowl.

  4. Slowly add the beer mixture to the flour mixture,
    whisking constantly until the batter has texture of thick
    paint (you may not need all of the beer). The batter
    should leave a trail if you drip it back into the bowl off
    the whisk. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are OK.
    Dip one onion ring in the batter, making sure that all
    surfaces are coated, lift it out, letting the excess batter
    drip off, and add it to the hot oil by slowly lowering it in
    with your fingers until just one side is sticking out, then
    dropping it in. Repeat until half of the rings are in the oil.
    Fry, flipping the rings halfway through cooking, until
    they are deep golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer
    the rings to a large mixing bowl lined with paper towels
    and toss while sprinkling salt over them. The fried rings

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