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Bloomin' Onion

As I was driving home from work yesterday I got a craving. Smack. Straight out of left field. I wanted a bloomin’ onion. You know, the classic Outback Steakhouse appetizer extraordinaire. All 1,560 calories, 84 grams of fat, and 5,510 milligrams of sodium extraordinaire. Or…not.

One brief trip to the grocery store later, I was able to create a bloomin’ onion that surely wouldn’t result in immanent cardiac arrest.

Prevention Bloomin’ Onion

Onion:
1 large yellow onion
2 Tbsp cornstarch
pinch of paprika
pinch of cayenne
pinch of seasoning salt
pinch of pepper
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
canola oil cooking spray

Sauce:
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
2 Tbsp ketchup
1/4 tsp seasoning salt
pinch of cayenne pepper
2 tsp horseradish sauce
pinch of paprika

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 F.

Cut onion ends without separating onion layers, making sure one end flat enough to keep the onion standing on its side. Cut onion into a floret-style, carefully separating the onion layers.

Combine the cornstarch, paprika, seasoning salt, cayenne, and pepper. Spray the onion lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with cornstarch mixture. Drizzle egg whites over onion. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 45 minutes.

Combine the remaining ingredients: sour cream, ketchup, seasoning salt, cayenne, horseradish, and paprika.

Serve onion warm with the horseradish dipping sauce.

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrition Information (per serving): 85 calories; 2.5 g. fat; 298 mg. sodium; 11.5 g. carbohydrate; 0.8 g. fiber; 3.7 g. protein

Result: Yum!! My only advice: DON’T eat half of it…at least not without Tums. Or if you’re eating with someone you’d like to kiss sometime in the near distant future… 😉 Oops.

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Your comments from yesterday – wow! You guys are fat-savvy! I was really impressed with the opinions you all have regarding fat in the diet and the importance fat plays in satiety and balance.

I have already received lots of questions for next week’s Q&A (woot!)! Please pass along any questions you have for me!! Send’em to: [email protected]

Question: Have you had a Bloomin’ Onion? Did you like it? What other menu items have nutrition stats that cause you to cringe?

TGIF!


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47 Comments

  1. Anna
    February 26, 2010 / 6:28 am

    Oooh, this looks like a delicious re-creation! Ugh– why do regular blooming onions have to be SO bad for you?!?

  2. Jess (Fit Chick in the City)
    February 26, 2010 / 6:29 am

    I’m really impressed with your re-creation of the blooming onion! I’ve had one, but it had to have been 10 years ago or so. They are yummy, but way to greasy.

  3. Lily @ Lily's Health Pad
    February 26, 2010 / 6:54 am

    Oh man, I love the bloomin onion! Something about fried veggies. Your creation sounds amazing! Nice healthy alternative.

  4. youngwifey
    February 26, 2010 / 6:55 am

    I love blooming onions especially the horseradish sauce with it, thanks for posting your recipe. My friend and I get one to share at the Bloomsburg Fair every year, it comes with two sauces, this one and a ranch. I other heart-attack food we also love, deep fried Oreos. Only had them once, but Yum!

  5. Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
    February 26, 2010 / 7:01 am

    I’m really impressed with your creativity in making a blooming onion at home.
    I don’t think I would ever do it though because a bloomin onion, to me, is like a once in a decade treat to share with 5 other people. I’ll stick with the heart-attack-on-a-plate version.

  6. Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place
    February 26, 2010 / 7:25 am

    that sauce is what kills me every time. I could eat it by the spoonful!

  7. Karissa @ CardioFoodie
    February 26, 2010 / 7:52 am

    For some odd reason I don’t like bloomin onions, but I love sports bar/pub onion rings!

  8. CaSaundra
    February 26, 2010 / 8:03 am

    I’ve never tried a blooming onion due to the fact that they are always SO greasy at restaurants! I guess I never thought to make my own, brilliant creation, can’t wait to try it!

  9. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
    February 26, 2010 / 8:08 am

    I hate onions with a passion. But Outback’s cheese fries? That’s like a week’s worth of calories right there. That restaurant’s nutrition info is scary.

  10. Kelly
    February 26, 2010 / 9:18 am

    I love onions and that looks like a winner recreation! My husband hates onions so that just means more for me! yay!

  11. kbwood
    February 26, 2010 / 9:30 am

    WOW! best re creation EVER! that looks great girl!

  12. Karin
    February 26, 2010 / 9:42 am

    This looks so good though I’ve never heard of a blooming onion before ;).

  13. Can You Stay for Dinner
    February 26, 2010 / 9:42 am

    My goodness! I love Bloomin’ Onions from Outback!! I used to work there and it would be so hard not to want one everyday! And the delicious dipping sauce ! Oh boy.
    Your recipe looks awesome! Thanks for such a fun and new spin on an old favorite!

  14. Food-Fitness-FreshAir
    February 26, 2010 / 9:43 am

    Thank you so much for this recipe!! I’ve actually never had a blooming onion because everyone tells me how terrible they are for you. I’ve always wanted to try one, but never order them because no one will share one with me…and I’m certainly not going to eat the whole thing! I will be definitely trying this version!

  15. suzicate
    February 26, 2010 / 9:55 am

    The aroma of the bloomin’ onion is much more satisfying to me than the actual taste, and it is pretty, too.

  16. Sarah
    February 26, 2010 / 10:03 am

    Nicole- This looks fantastic. I think I can make it gluten free as well!

    Bloomin’ onions are deadly but now we can eat them guilt free.

  17. Evan Thomas
    February 26, 2010 / 10:21 am

    I’ve never had a bloomin onion. Fried onion just never appealed to me. I would love to healthify chinese food! Orange chicken is amazing but what goes in it is a bit scary

  18. Stef @ moretolifethanlettuce
    February 26, 2010 / 10:34 am

    i’ve never had a bloomin onion, but those restaurant stats are scary! nice work healthify-ing it, i bet it was delish

  19. Sushma Mallya
    February 26, 2010 / 10:39 am

    wow that looks gorgeous..what a bloom…

  20. eatingRD
    February 26, 2010 / 11:39 am

    I haven’t had a bloomin’ onion in ages! not something I would normally crave, but sure looks tasty and healthier! have a nice weekend ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. Melinda
    February 26, 2010 / 11:49 am

    Nice recreation. I have never made one at home, but I have tried this. The other items that are insane in stats would be anything at cheesecake factory or claim jumper, where they are known for generous portions that you are never meant to consume in one (even 3) sittings, and the choc cake from PF Changs, which despite all the cals, I love to share with people. Have a great weekend.

  22. eaternotarunner
    February 26, 2010 / 12:00 pm

    I’m actually not a fan of fried foods! I think its because of my heartburn….they do not make me happy :-/

  23. Naomi (onefitfoodie)
    February 26, 2010 / 1:40 pm

    nom nom nom/….I love sweet onioons! I saw a remake of this on hungrygirl too! your version looks FANTASTIC!! yummmers!

  24. Nour El-Zibdeh, RD
    February 26, 2010 / 1:54 pm

    Haven’t had a blooming onion in a long time… I like your creation… I have all the stuff at home and will try i…

    A note about kissing: if you want to kiss someone and eat the onion, make sure they eat it too !! ๐Ÿ™‚

  25. 5 Star Foodie
    February 26, 2010 / 1:55 pm

    I’ve never had a blooming onion – how fabulous!

  26. Sara
    February 26, 2010 / 2:59 pm

    LOVE those blooming onions! Will have to try out that recipe on my family and let you know what they think:) Thanks!

  27. lessonstolearn
    February 26, 2010 / 3:53 pm

    That’s amazing! I would love that!

    I just tried to comment on your most recent post and I couldn’t load it from the email version that was sent to me…. Oh well…I love your kitchen! We are beginning the house hunting process very soon and a nice kitchen is on the tp of my must-have list!

    • Nicole
      Author
      February 26, 2010 / 4:01 pm

      I boo-booed! That’s my post for tomorrow! I hit “publish” instead of “schedule” — it’ll be up early tomorrow morning. Sorry about that!

      House-hunting is so much fun! The kitchen was key for me, too!! Take lots of pictures, that’s all I can say…after seeing 20 houses a day, they all blend together!

  28. Nicole
    February 26, 2010 / 4:17 pm

    This bloomin’ onion is freakin’ amazing! How did you come up with this ‘healthified’ recipe? It’s great! I can’t believe the stats on Outback’s version. That makes me sick. I know many would disagree, but I wouldn’t mind seeing nutritional stats on menus. Some people wouldn’t care, but I totally would consider it before ordering. The Cheesecake Factory has some real scary items on the menu. I just saw some of their stats today online and it freaked me out! EEK!

  29. Mari
    February 26, 2010 / 5:50 pm

    OMG I HAVE TO PRINT THIS AND MAKE IT ASAP!!!! I LOOOOOOVE THE Blooming Onion!!!!

  30. homecookedem
    February 26, 2010 / 6:43 pm

    Andrew LOVES Outback’s bloomin onion and I’m embarrassed for him when I tell you that he’s eaten an entire one by himself and THEN proceeded to eat his dinner. Yeah, men. Your’s looks good!! Don’t know if Andrew would like it (too healthy) but I definitely would!!!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

  31. Diane Fit to the Finish
    February 26, 2010 / 7:20 pm

    Great remake of a really, really unhealthy recipe! I’ve avoided the onion, but could probably be tempted with yours!

  32. Julie @ Pickley Pear
    February 26, 2010 / 7:26 pm

    What a great recipe! I also love Outback’s cheese fries with ranch, luckily though, I can’t even remember the last time I had them (4-5 years ago maybe?). Enjoy your weekend!

  33. John
    February 26, 2010 / 7:48 pm

    I always wanted to try a bloomin’ but never have. Much different from onion rings? I’ve had lots of them.

    Happy weekend to you too!

  34. marla {Family Fresh Cooking}
    February 26, 2010 / 9:15 pm

    I love that you had a craving and you satisfied it in such a great way!! Yippee for you, I bet you felt so much better taking this recipe into your own hands ๐Ÿ™‚ It looks fab.

  35. sophia
    February 26, 2010 / 9:49 pm

    I’ve certainly had a Bloomin’ Onion before at Outback!! It really wasn’t that great, but was rather impressive. I’d rather not know the nutrition stat though, lol.

  36. Jodie
    February 26, 2010 / 10:15 pm

    Impressive onion. Which brand of applesauce do you use?

  37. Cate
    February 27, 2010 / 12:49 am

    I’ve never had the real version of this, and I don’t ever want to…but I’m excited to try yours!

  38. intheskinny
    February 27, 2010 / 6:44 am

    How creative! I wouldn’t have thought to make this on my own.

  39. christie @ honoring health
    February 27, 2010 / 6:51 am

    Awesome twist on the bloomin’ onion!

  40. The Candid RD
    February 27, 2010 / 7:51 am

    Heck yeah!! Great idea to make your own bloomin’ onion. I can’t BELIEVE the stats on the real one. I mean, gross! I realize this is probably an appetizer that gets shared with several people, HOWEVER, I am sure there have been plenty of individuals who had downed the entire thing all by themselves. Scary, but true. Personally I would rather get that many calories from ice cream, or pizza, or lasagna! Not a fried onion…. I would much rather eat yours!! Very creative.
    Have a nice weekend Nicole!

  41. Kerstin
    February 27, 2010 / 11:08 am

    I love how you lightened it up! It looks addicting!

  42. Faith
    February 28, 2010 / 9:33 am

    You are truly a girl after my own heart! My favorite things to order at Outback are the bloomin onion (by far!) and the blue cheese chopped salad. I’ve always wanted to make a healthier version of the onion at home, so thanks for the inspiration! ๐Ÿ™‚

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  46. Tom
    June 12, 2016 / 7:49 pm

    Found this image on google… I thought it would be some funny cookin gone wrong article…. Couldn’t stop laughing my as* off when I found out you are 100% serious about this… You made my day, thank you ! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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