[CHIQUITITA]

INGREDIENTS:

* 4 to 6 Vidalia or other sweet onions, about 4-inch diameter
* 1/2 cup cornstarch
* 1 1/2 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 2 teaspoons ground paprika
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon pepper
* 24 ounces beer
* .
* Seasoned Flour
* 2 cups flour
* 4 teaspoons paprika
* 2 teaspoons garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
* .
* Chili Mayonnaise
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/4 cup chili sauce
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

PREPARATION:
Cut about 3/4-inch off the top of onion and peel. Cut onion into about 12 vertical wedges but do not cut through bottom root end. Remove about 1 inch of the center "petals" of onion. Immerse onion in ice water while preparing batter and flour.

Combine next 6 ingredients in a bowl; blend well. Stir in beer; blend well.

In another bowl, combine seasoned flour ingredients; stir to blend well.

Dip onion in seasoned flour; shake to remove excess flour. Separate petals and dip into batter, spooning batter over all until well coated. Let excess drip back into bowl. Gently place battered onion in fryer basket and deep-fry at 370° for about 1 1/2 minutes. Turn over and fry for about 1 1/2 minutes longer, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Place onion upright in shallow bowl and remove center core with circular cutter or apple corer. Serve hot with Chili Mayonnaise.

Chili Mayonnaise:
Combine Mayonnaise, sour cream, chili sauce and cayenne; blend well.