Chef John’s 10 Best Recipes of 2025

Ingredients

• 1 cup Sour Cream (full‑fat for best flavor)
• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise (regular or light)
• 2 tablespoons Prepared Horseradish (coarse, not overly sweet)
• 1 tablespoon Ketchup (for sweet tang)
• 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (adjust to heat preference)
• 1 large Yellow Onion (about 2 cups diced)
• 1.5 teaspoons Kosher Salt (plus extra pinch for batter)
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 2 tablespoons Cornmeal (fine‑ground)
• 1/2 cup All‑Purpose Flour (sifted)
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 cup Milk (whole or 2% works best)
• 2 cups Vegetable Oil (for shallow frying; use a high‑smoke‑point oil)

Instructions

1. Make the Awesome Blossom Sauce

   In a mixing bowl combine sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish, ketchup, and cayenne. Stir until smooth, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed.

   Time: PT5M

2. Dice the Onion

   Trim about 1 inch off the top of the onion, cut in half through the root, peel, then slice crosswise and then lengthwise to create a fine dice. Transfer 2 cups diced onion to a bowl.

   Time: PT10M

3. Salt the Onion

   Sprinkle 1½ tsp kosher salt over the diced onion, toss to coat, and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture.

   Time: PT15M

4. Rinse and Dry the Onion

   Place the salted onions in a fine mesh sieve, rinse thoroughly under cold water, then let drain for 2‑3 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.

   Time: PT5M

5. Prepare the Dry Batter Mix

   In a clean bowl combine a pinch of salt, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, cornmeal, flour, and baking powder. Stir to distribute evenly.

   Time: PT3M

6. Make the Batter

   Add the dried onions to the dry mix, then pour in the milk. Stir until a thick batter forms; it should coat a spoon thickly. Adjust consistency with a little more flour if too thin or a splash more milk if too thick.

   Time: PT7M

7. Rest the Batter

   Let the batter sit for 5‑10 minutes while you heat the oil.

   Time: PT5M

8. Heat the Oil

   Pour vegetable oil into a skillet (about 1‑inch deep) and heat over medium‑high until it reaches ~350 °F (use a thermometer or test with a drop of batter – it should sizzle and rise to the surface quickly).

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 350°F

9. Fry the Bites

   Scoop rounded tablespoon portions of batter into the hot oil (use a sorbet scoop or two spoons). Fry 3 minutes per side, flipping once after 30 seconds to keep them from sticking. For extra crispness, flip a second time after the first side is browned.

   Time: PT6M

   Temperature: 350°F

10. Drain and Keep Warm

    Remove fried bites with a slotted spoon onto a paper‑towel‑lined plate. Keep warm in a low oven (200 °F) while you finish the batch.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: 200°F

11. Serve

    Arrange the onion bites on a serving platter, drizzle or dip with the prepared Awesome Blossom sauce, and finish with an extra shake of cayenne if desired.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

250

Protein

5 g

Carbohydrates

20 g

Fat

15 g

Fiber

2 g