Charred Onion Petals Recipes

CRISPY JALAPEñO & ONION PETALS

Steps:

• Cut the onion in half and then into wedges. Separate the onion layers and add them to a bowl. Slice the jalapeños (seeds and all if you like things spicy) into very thin rounds and add to the bowl. Pour over the buttermilk and stir to combine. Let sit while you get the remaining ingredients together.
• Combine the flour, salt and a generous pinch of black pepper in a separate bowl, then set aside.
• Add 1 inch of oil to a large, heavy-bottom skillet. Heat to 375 degrees F or until a pinch of the flour sizzles when added to the skillet.
• Using tongs, remove a handful of onions and jalapeños from the buttermilk and immediately dunk into the flour mixture, thoroughly coating them. Tap them on the inside of the bowl to shake off the excess.
• Carefully add the coated onions and jalapeños to the hot oil, breaking them up with a spoon, so they don't stick together. Cook until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Repeat with the remaining onions and jalapeños.
• Serve immediately.

CHARRED ONION PETALS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Halve onions through root ends (do not trim tops). Remove outermost papery layers from each onion.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high. Add oil and swirl to evenly coat skillet. (Oil should shimmer and start to smoke almost immediately.) Add onion halves, cut sides down, nestling them close together. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, undisturbed, until cut sides are blackened, 18-20 minutes. Surfaces will look and smell burnt.
• Transfer skillet to oven and roast onions until the innermost layers are no longer raw but are still rigid, 10-15 minutes. Remove skillet from oven and transfer onions to a large rimmed baking sheet, placing cut sides up.
• Let onions cool slightly, then trim papery tops with kitchen shears. Separate layers into individual petals; discard root ends (some center pieces may not curve, which is okay). Arrange petals in a single layer and season with salt.

CHARRED ONION & WHIPPED FETA FLATBREADS

Steps:

• Combine the flour, 1 tsp salt and the yeast in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, and tip in 150ml warm water and the olive oil. Mix until combined, then knead on a lightly floured surface for 10 mins. Tip into a lightly oiled bowl, cover and leave to rise for at least 1 hr, or until doubled in size.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a frying pan over a high heat, and fry the onions for about 5 mins until beginning to char, stirring every so often. Tip the onions into a roasting tin with the thyme and honey. Roast for 15 mins until softened.
• Crumble the feta into a bowl with the yogurt, then whisk until smooth and creamy.
• Heat a dry frying pan over a medium heat. Divide the dough into four to six balls and roll out each into a 1cm-thick circle on a lightly floured surface. Fry, one at a time, for 2 mins on each side until cooked through and lightly charred. Top with the feta yogurt, harissa, roasted onions, a bit of extra thyme and honey, and a pinch of sea salt.