I don’t know about you but something about Onion Rings makes me scream SUMMER!
Growing up when I was younger there was a lake that everyone would go to in the summer called White Pine Beach. I am sure most people had a lake they would go to in the summer when the weather warmed up. It was where everyone wanted to go and wanted to be and was so exciting when you saw cars lining up to go in, the unofficial sign Summer was here. There was of course no parking unless you got there super early but I didn’t have a car anyways so that never mattered to me. There was also one dock that went across the lake (it was a very small lake) and all the “cool kids” would hang out there. Oh the High school days!
The beach was alright, nothing too crazy, sand covered half and the other was grass but again it was tough to find a spot if you didn’t get there early.
Oh, and another thing. If you are from Canada you will know all too well about what I am going to say and if you aren’t, let me tell you a little something interesting. We have a bird called a Canadian Goose. They are very much protected by our environmental laws and causing any harm or disturbing them is strictly prohibited. But let me tell you, they are mean sons of bitches! If you get too close to them they will hiss at you and if you get even closer they will start to run after you and if they get close enough you bet your ass they will bite you, or your dog
“Oh they just have goose bills with no teeth how could they possibly hurt?” Be my guest and approach one of them and see how it turns out for you
So here you are trying to find some spare patch where you can lay your undersized towel on (Clearly I used to bring bath towels to the beach … Sorry Mom) and then fight off geese at the same time. It was summer and I loved every minute of it
What else did I love about that little cramped lake?
- Frozen Oreo Cookie Sandwiches
- Onion Rings
Clearly a very healthy diet
So even now, years later, when making onion rings I am instantly reminded of being on that beach and standing in line in what felt like 100 degree heat (although now I actually know what 100 degree heat feels like and it was not even close) waiting to get a paper cup of super hot onion rings and of course at the time, smothered in Ketchup.
Besides some amazing childhood memories, here are a few reason why I know these onion rings will be a hit
- Super Crispy
- Addictive (Bet you can’t have just one)
- Easy
- Quick
- Spicy Kick from Sirracha
These onion rings are just what summer ordered and is perfect with the slightly spicy Sirracha Honey Mustard Aioli.
Just remember, Guinness isn’t a Vegetarian Beer so if you want to make this a vegetarian meal substitute another lager.
Oh, and you only need half a bottle for the recipe so there is a treat while you cook
Enjoy!
- [br][b]Onion Rings: [/b]
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1/2 Cup Rice Flour
- 1/4 Cup Manchego Cheese + More for Topping
- 1/2 Whole Milk
- 1/2 Cup Guiness
- 1 Tsp. Paprika
- 1 Tbl. Mustard Powder
- 1/4 Tsp. Salt
- 1.4 Tsp. Pepper
- 3 Small Onions
- [br][b]Spicy Honey Mustard Aioli:[/b]
- 1/2 Cup Good Quality Mayo
- 4 Tbl. Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tbl. Honey
- 1 Tbl. Malt Vinegar
- 1 Tsp. Sriracha
- 1 Clove Garlic, Minced
- Salt
- Pepper
- First, start by making the Spicy Honey Mustard Sauce. Add all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well to combine. Season lightly with salt and pepper
- Fill a large cast iron pot over a medium high heat and bring up to a temperature of around 360 degrees fahrenheit
- While the oil is heating, add all of the ingredients for the onion rings into a bowl ommiting the onions and Guinness. Stir to combine. Slowly add the beer in, whisking lightly, until you get a smooth batter. You want to the consistency to be similar to a pancake batter
- Slice the onions into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices reserving the smaller inside rings for another use
- Once the oil has come to temperature dip each onion ring into the batter and deep fry in batches until golden brown and delicious
- Let the temperature come back up between batches
- Drain the onion rings on a paper towel and season with salt
- Serve immediately sprinkled with extra manchego cheese, green onions and Dipping sauce
nice