Fake Out Take Out Sliders & Rings

I was craving fast food, but I enjoy making things similar to what I would get for take out, but a little healthier. I had a hard time finding a great baked onion ring recipe, but I gave this one from Cooking light a shot. It was pretty good, but I had a little trouble getting the batter to stick properly without over-coating the rings, but I would try this again. I made a dip similar to Outback's Bloomin' Onion dip...I'll admit, that was what I was originally going to make (the onion itself), but I chickened out, maybe next time.

And the mini burgers, or sliders are my new favorite thing to make & order at restaurants. I have a smaller appetite, and sometimes get overwhelmed by a gigantic burger, but the mini ones are just perfect for me. The onion ring dipping sauce was a great change from the usual ketchup/mustard/mayo condiments.

Spicy Little Pepper Jack Turkey Sliders with Grilled Onions

1 lb ground turkey (makes about 6-7 burgers)
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ancho chili powder (or regular Mexican chili powder)
1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
4 tbsp freshly chopped cilantro leaves
1/2 tbsp Worcester sauce
2 cloves garlic, diced
1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper
1/2 cup sliced onions
pepper jack cheese slices
small buns or rolls

Heat an oiled (I used non-stick cooking spray and a Cuisinart Griddler) grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl except for the last three ingredients. Form mixture into 1 1/2 inch burgers. Place burgers on grill and cook for approximately 4 minutes per side. Meanwhile, grill onions until soft, for about 5 minutes.

When burgers are almost finished cooking, add the cheese, let melt over the burgers and toast buns.

Remove, top the burgers with onions and desired toppings. I just enjoyed mine with the grilled onions and a little of the onion ring dip.

Beer Battered Onion Rings
Cooking Light

Unless for some unknown reason you have an open can of beer in your refrigerator (not at our house!), try this simple way to flatten the suds you need for this batter. Measure 1/2 cup beer in a small bowl, and stir with a fork. You're left with about 1/3 cup flat beer.

2 large onions, peeled (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup flat beer
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
Cooking spray
1/4 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 400°.

Cut the onion crosswise into 3/4-inch-thick slices, and separate into rings. Use 16 of the largest rings; reserve remaining onion for another use. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, salt, paprika, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in beer and egg white (batter will be thick).

Heat 1 1/2teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dip 5 onion rings in batter, letting excess drip off. Add onion rings to pan; cook for 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Place the onion rings on a jelly-roll pan. Repeat procedure of dipping onion rings in batter and cooking in remaining oil, ending with 6 rings. Coat the onion rings with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until crisp.

Serve rings with ketchup or dipping sauce below.

Outback Bloomin' Onion Dipping Sauce
I googled & this same recipe is all over the place; I have no idea who deserves the original credit

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons ketchup
2 tablespoons cream-style horseradish
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
Dash ground black pepper
Dash cayenne pepper

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.