Bloomin' Onion

Ingredients

 * 1 lrg onion
 * ice water
 * boiling water
 * 4 x eggs beaten
 * 2 tbl flour
 * 1 cup cracker crumbs

Directions

 * Select a well-rounded onion.
 * Peel outer skin off.
 * Leave root intact and cut off any hanging roots.
 * Using a small, sharp knife, divide onion into four sections by making 2 cuts crosswise, beginning at the top and cutting toward root, stopping about 1/2" away.
 * Cut each section twice.
 * Place onion in bowl of enough boiling water to cover it and leave for 5 minutes.
 * The sections, or petals, will begin to open.
 * Remove onion from water and immerse into ice water, which will further the opening. *Drain well by turning upside down on paper towel.
 * Put flour into paper bag, add onion and shake gently to coat with flour.
 * Roll floured onion in beaten egg to cover.
 * Put cracker crumbs or coating in bag, add onion, and shake gently to coat.
 * Refrigerate 1 hour before deep frying in oil to golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.