Onion rings

Ingredients

• 3onions, large, cut into 1.5cm rings and separated
• 1 2/3 cupsbuttermilk
• 7 ozall-purpose flour
• 2 ozcornstarch
• 1 1/2 tspsmoked paprika
• 1 tspgarlic powder
• 1 tspbaking powder
• 2 tspfine sea salt
• 1 tspblack pepper
• 1 1/2 quartsvegetable oil, for deep frying; most is left in the pan

Method

1. 1

   Separate the onion slices into rings, put them in a bowl with the buttermilk and a teaspoon of the salt, and leave them for at least 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Whisk the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, baking powder, pepper and the rest of the salt together in a wide bowl. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk into it and rub it through with your fingers so the mixture becomes shaggy and lumpy.

3. 3

   Lift a ring out of the buttermilk, press it into the flour, dip it back into the buttermilk and press it into the flour a second time. Lay the coated rings on a rack while you do the rest.

4. 4

   Heat the oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry the rings in four small batches for 3 to 4 minutes each, until deep golden, lifting them onto paper towels and salting them straight away. Let the oil come back up to temperature between batches.