Leonard's Barbeque Onion Ring Batter

Recipe courtesy Dan Brown at Leonard's BBQ, Memphis,TN

2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 heaping tablespoons white self-rising corn meal
1 egg
5 cups 2 percent milk
8 cups plain all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons yellow food color
4 jumbo yellow onions
Vegetable oil, for frying

Using a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients until no lumps remain. Use jumbo yellow onion rings and slice about 3/4-inch thick.
Coat the onion rings evenly in batter and deep fry at 350 degrees F in vegetable oil just until batter sticks to the rings. Remove the rings from the vegetable oil and drain well, then refrigerate the rings for 2 to 4 hours. You can keep refrigerated for 1 to 2 days loosely covered.

When ready to serve, drop the onion rings into 350 degrees F vegetable oil until golden brown.