• Mix all dry ingredients together.
• Slice onion like a blossom by cutting the top 1/4 off (the top has the stem). Peel the onion being very careful to leave the root intact. Carefully slice from the top of the onion down but stop about 1/2-inch before you get to the root, taking care not to cut through the root. Slice the rest of the onion like a pie into many servings.
• When complete soak onion in cold ice water for 1/2 hour so the onion's petals will start to open up and bloom.
• Drain onion and dip in flour mixture and dust well.
• Dip onion then in buttermilk and back in flour mixture.
• Place in hot oil and fry until golden. Oil should cover onion.
• When done drain well and place on plate and cut center out of onion so the petals may easily be removed.

Dipping Sauce

• Mix all together and serve in the middle of the onion blossom.
• Garnish with paprika and just a dash of red pepper.