Cheese-Stuffed Blooming Onion

Instructions

• Cut just the top off an onion and place it cut-side down.
• Using a sharp knife, go around the root of the onion and make 4 evenly spaced cuts, being careful not to cut all the way through. Go back around and make 2 additional cuts between each quarter.
• Flip the onion over and coax apart its layers (or “petals”).
• Place 2 slices of mozzarella cheese on top of each other, cut them into ½-inch (1 cm) slices, then cut them in half.
• Place a piece of cheese in between all of the onion petals.
• Freeze the onion for 1 hour.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk and the eggs.
• In large bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic salt, black pepper, and paprika.
• Place the onion in the wet mixture, turning it until every petal is coated.
• Place the onion in the dry mixture, coating every petal.
• Coat the onion in the egg wash and dry mixture one more time.
• Place onion in the freezer for 20 minutes.
• Heat canola oil to 375ºF (190ºC) in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven.
• With tongs, add the onion to the oil for 2 minutes or until it is browned and crispy on all sides.
• Move onion to plate covered in paper towels and allow to drain for 5 minutes.
• Enjoy!