BURGER KING ONION RINGS

Since McDonald’s doesn’t sell onion rings, these crunchy, golden hoops from the world’s number two restaurant chain are the most popular onion rings in the world.There are more than 12,000 Burger Kings in 61 countries these days, and after french fries, onion rings are the second-most popular companion to the chain’s signature Whopper sandwich. Check out how simple it is to clone a whopping four dozen onion rings from one onion, using this triple-breading process. When frying, trans-fat-free vegetable shortening makes for the best clone, but you can get by fine using vegetable oil if that’s the way you want to go. Check out the next recipe to clone the Zesty Onion Ring Dipping Sauce for adding a little zing to your rings.

1. In a fryer, heat up 6 to 10 cups of vegetable shortening or oil (use the amount required by your fryer) to 350 degrees F.
2. Cut the onion into ¼-inch-thick slices, then separate the slices into rings.
3. Pour the milk into a large shallow bowl, dump flour into another large shallow bowl, and pour bread crumbs into a third large shallow bowl. The large shallow bowls will make breading easier. Easy is good.
4. While the shortening is heating up, bread all the onion rings: First dip an onion ring into the milk, then into the flour. Dip it back into the milk, then into the bread crumbs, and once more into the milk and into the bread crumbs. This will give each of the rings a nice thick breading. Arrange the breaded rings on a plate until all of them are breaded.
5. When the oil is hot, fry the rings, a handful at a time, in the oil for 1½ to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the rings from the oil to a rack or paper towels to drain. Lightly salt the onion rings and serve ’em up hot.
• MAKES 4 TO 5 DOZEN ONION RINGS.