Southern Fried Onion Rings

Our house is a big football house. We count down the days til the first snap is had and we wish the season never has to come to an end. The best part about football is not only watching the great divisions in college football play on another on a rivalry Saturday, but the food you get to enjoy while sitting back and yelling at the quarterback for now throwing it sooner! One of the favorite food items we enjoy to eat during a football game is Southern fried onion rings! Below you will find all the information for them so you can whip them up next time you are watching a game.

Ingredients:
2 large vidalla (or sweet) onions
1 quart of buttermilk
1 cup of buttermilk self-rising cornmeal
1/4 cup of self-rising flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
cooking oil
gallon size zip lock bag
deep fryer
drainer
half a gallon mason jar

Directions:
1. Skin the onions. Take off the top layer and discard.
2. Slice the onion in at least 4 large circles.
3. Separate the onions into rings and place into the mason jar. Tip, fill the rings large size first and then the smaller rings will fit into the larger rings.
4. Fill the mason jar that is filled with onion slices with buttermilk. Make sure you have covered every onion ring.
5. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
6. Fill your deep fryer up with oil at least half way. Heat the oil on high.
7. Pour in your cornmeal, flour, salt and pepper into the gallon size bag, seal and shake to mix.
8. Place drainer in the sink and pour out the onions with the buttermilk into the drainer. Shake a little to remove huge clumps.
9. Place at least 6 onion slices in the bag, shake, and remove.
10. Take the coated onion rings and place in the deep fryer. Cook until slightly golden brown, which can take up to 3 minutes.
11. Place them in a serving bowl lined with paper towels to catch the excess grease.

Enjoy and oh yes, by the way, if you love fried dill pickles, use this recipe as well. Just replace the onion for pickles and you will enjoy them as well!