Onion Straws with Chipotle Pepper Aioli

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
• 2 medium Vidalia onions, very thinly sliced
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Canola oil, for frying

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and minced chipotle pepper. Cover and refrigerate.
2. In a wide bowl, soak thinly sliced onions in buttermilk for one hour, stirring occasionally.
3. On a shallow plate, mix flour, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika.
4. Heat canola oil in a heavy stockpot or Dutch oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Using tongs, remove onions from buttermilk and coat them in the flour mixture, shaking off excess flour.
6. Working in batches, fry onions in hot oil, breaking them up with tongs to prevent clumping. Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
7. Drain fried onions on paper towels.
8. Serve onion straws with Chipotle Pepper Aioli