Bacon and Gouda Burgers with Yummy Beer Battered Un-Blooming Onion Rings
It’s so weird how certain foods seem to appear all at once around the blogosphere…I have been craving onion rings for weeks, and finally decided to make them this week…well, while making the rounds I saw that Kevin at Closet Cooking had also made onion rings recently! LOL Great minds think alike, that’s all I can say. 
Are you guys familiar with the Bloomin’ Onion appetizer at the Outback? Yeah, right? I love the seasonings they use, but that thing is such a Pain (capital P) to make at home…plus, it never turns out the way I imagine it…usually it breaks apart and winds up being some sort of onion mess rather than looking like the pretty flower it’s supposed to. Onion rings are much easier to do, and if you have a deep fryer, well, then all the easier yet. So, I thought why not make a batter with similar flavors to that of the ”Bloomer,” (hehehehe I had to, folks. I just had to) but in ring form? Perfect. Seriously. They went fabulously well with my bacon and Gouda burger, a bit of alioli (I should post the recipe for that, it’s so easy) and the requisite ketchup and mustard.
Ingredients:
For Burgers:
1 1/2 pounds (3/4 kilo) ground beef
dried onion to taste
garlic powder to taste
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
1/2 pound (200 grams) bacon
6 slices Gouda cheese
6 buns
For Un-Blooming Onion Rings:
2 large yellow onions, sliced into rings
1 1/2 cups flour (about)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1/2 bottle of pilsner beer (drink the other half while you’re cooking! lol) or sparkling water
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
a bit of paprika
Sunflower oil for frying
Preparation:
For Burgers:
Combine all burger ingredients (except bacon, cheese and buns) and form 6 patties.
Brown bacon and drain on paper towels (leave the drippings in the pan).
Fry patties over medium high heat until cooked to desired doneness.
Serve with Gouda slices and crispy bacon.
For Un-Blooming Onion Rings:
Whisk together all ingredients except onion slices in a medium sized bowl.
Heat oil to just below smoking point.
Gently toss onions in beer batter.
Carefully! Add onions to hot oil, and turn over as they brown (the timing will depend on the size of your rings).
Drain on paper towels.
Nikki, I too love those blooming onions and if you’re spot-on with the seasonings, it’s trying again.
Regardless, your rings look fab, step aside, I’m diggin’ in!
I’m so hungry! lmbo
:::shaking fist at Nikki::: Why must you torture me with this amazing looking stuff first thing in the morning? This probably means I am going to have a burger and onion rings for lunch…though it definitely won’t be as good as this! Gouda + bacon = best combo ever.
its 7:30am… i’ve barely been awake for 20 minutes but these look so good!! i’m with elly… i’ll probably have to eat a burger & onion rings for lunch!
Your onion rings turned out beautifully Nikki. I have tried the Bloomer at Outbacks in the States, but since I was the only one eating it it was way to much for me..a few bites and I’m done..not quite but you know
can you put one of these burgers in the mail to me? i can eat now
That’s it, I am getting on a plane.
good, sweet jesus and mother of everything holy that looks terrific!
Great looking onion rings! I will have to try adding some spices to the batter the next time I make onion rings.
Hi Peter! Your place is reserved at the table! lol To make the rings even more like “the bloomer,” I’d add a smidge of oregano and thyme.
Ginny, sorry! LOL come over and I’ll make you some.
Sorry, Elly! LOL But, it serves you right for posting pecan tarts! LOL
Ashley, hee! It’s a burger and rings party!
Valli, I know what you mean…da hubs loves it too, though, so he eats (used to eat, we don’t have that chain here) most of it. lol
Van, if I knew they’d arrive in good shape, I’d certainly mail you a big huge plate of burgers and rings! We need a beaming machine like Star Trek.
Flutter! YES! I knew I could get you over here if I tried hard enough!
Thanks so much, Liv!
Thanks, Kevin!
Dear God, that’s just plain old torture. Again. You evil canary, you.
Those onion rings look perfect. I am still suffering from a deep frying phobia. I have yet to try it, despite LOVING things like onion rings and donuts…
Oh painfully yummy pics! You are such an awesome food stylist. By the way, I made the biscuits and they were a huge success (thanks to you).
Mmmm… it’s almost lunchtime, and you’ve succeeded in making my plain salad wrap THAT much less appealing!
Hi Elle…yeah, us canaries are known for our evil natures. That sweet singing? It’s all just a ruse. lmfao XOXO! MUAC!
Hi Mallow! You simply must get over that! Deep frying is something that I never EVER did before I met the hubs…he is a deep fried food nut. It’s really pretty harmless, especially if you have a deep fryer with a wire basket and a lid.
Hi Julie! OMG that is a HUGE compliment coming from you! Your styling is impeccable and gorgeous. I’m SO glad you liked the biscuits!!!
LOL Shelley! Sorry about that…I should be eating salad wraps instead of onion rings, but….but…..I just can’t. I need to have my grease quotient. lmao
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.
I love your site.
Love design!!! I just came across your blog and wanted to say that I?ve really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. Sign: ndsam
i made these and they look really good but the taste is bland but theyy look so so good lol so its ok