Fun-ion Time!!!!!!!!!!

It's 2-fer Tuesdays. 2 recipes today & both involving onions. I thought this was one of the best sandwiches ever & I loved these homemade onion rings more than any I've ordered anywhere!!!! It may seem strange to pair this duo, what with all the onions, but I really was in the mood to make both. And it was actually fun!!!!!!

Many people have commented about frying things at home & how nervous they get but don't be! I don't fry a lot but what I do fry is totally worth it & easy!!!!!!!!! I urge you, dare you, encourage you, to try these onion rings. They're not like fast food, dripping with grease & the flour breading is very light!!!!!

HAM & CARAMELIZED ONION GRILLED CHEESE

1 large onion, very thinly sliced
1/2 tsp sugar
Pinch salt
4 tsp spicy brown mustard
3 tsp horseradish
2 tsp honey
8 slices bread like sour dough 5 grain
12 slices deli ham

4 slices low-fat Swiss cheese

Coat a medium skillet with nonstick spray & place over medium heat. Add onion, sugar & salt to skillet. Cover. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally or until lightly browned. Remove from heat. Stir together mustard, horseradish & honey. Set aside.

Spread 4 slices of bread evenly with mustard mixture, then layer 3 slices of ham over each piece. Place about 2 tblsp onions on top of ham then place 1 slice of Swiss on top of the onions. Place the remaining bread over cheese.

Spritz both sides of sandwich with nonstick cooking spray & cook in a nonstick skillet over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes or until cheese has melted, turning halfway through.

{Food for Thought}

The original recipe called for regular whole wheat bread but I bought some fresh bread at Publix, some type of sour dough 5 grain bread & I wouldn't change a thing. You want something a little bigger than whole wheat & a little more special. As for the special sauce, I recommend doubling up if you're like me & like to spread a bit on each side.

{Click Here to Print Recipe}

SOUTHWESTERN ONION RINGS

2 large sweet onions
2 ½ cups buttermilk
2 eggs
3 tblsp water
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
Vegetable oil

Cut onions into ¼ in slices. Separate into rings. Place in a large bowl & cover with buttermilk & soak for 30 minutes, stirring twice.

In a shallow dish, beat eggs & water. In another shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, chili powder, cayenne, sugar, garlic & cumin. Drain onion rings, dip in egg mixture, then roll in flour mixture.

In medium to large skillet, heat 1 in of oil to 375. Fry onion rings, a few at a time for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

{Food for Thought}

These weren't spicy at all, just a nice little sweet kick. When you fry the rings, just let the golden color be your clock. Once the outside is golden on both sides the onion ring is perfect on the inside.

{Click Here to Print Recipe}

Visit Lisa at Blessed with Grace for more Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays!!!!