Here’s an easy side dish recipe for your next barbecue.  We call these Oakridge Onion Strings. 

Homemade Buttermilk Onion Strings

For software you’ll need:

• 2-3 large sweet onions (We prefer Texas 1015’s but any sweet onion will do just fine.)
• 1 gallon buttermilk
• 3 lbs Unbleached wheat flour
• 1/2 gallon canola oil
• Oakridge BBQ Game Bird & Chicken Rub
• Salt & Pepper

For Hardware you’ll need:

• Large non-reactive bowl or stock pot.
• Large deep skillet or deep fryer
• Sharp knife or mandolin
• Deep fry thermometer

Slice the onions thinly into rings with a sharp knife or mandolin.  Move sliced onion rings to large non-reactive bowl or stock pot and completely cover with buttermilk.  Place into refrigerator overnight.  If you can’t wait until the next day, then soak them in buttermilk for at least an hour or two.  Cooking them is very straightforward.  First, heat your deep fryer to 375 degrees F.  Then, season your white flour with a little salt and pepper and place into a large bowl.  When you’re ready to cook them, set up an assembly line with the buttermilk ring bath and seasoned flour.  Use one hand to dip rings out of the buttermilk and drop them into the flour.  Then use the other hand to dredge them in the flour, ensuring complete coverage of every ring.  Then with the same hand, shake any excess flour off and drop them CAREFULLY into the hot fryer.  Cook until golden brown and transfer to a plate lined with several paper towels.  Immediately after they are out of the oil and on the plate, dust them liberally with Oakridge Game Bird & Chicken rub.  Eat and enjoy.