Tempura is a popular Japanese dish consisting of seafood and vegetables that have been battered and deep-fried to a crispy perfection. This light and airy dish is often served with a dipping sauce and grated daikon radish. Follow this recipe to create authentic Tempura at home.
Ingredients:
For the Tempura Batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup ice-cold water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Ice cubes (to keep the batter cold)
For the Tempura:
- 10-12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
- 1 small eggplant, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup dashi (Japanese soup stock)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Grated daikon radish (optional)
Instructions:
Preparing the Batter:
- Mix the Batter:
- In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg. Add the ice-cold water to the egg and mix well.
- Add the flour and baking powder to the egg mixture, and gently stir with chopsticks or a fork. Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy. Place a few ice cubes in the batter to keep it cold.
Preparing the Tempura:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Pat the shrimp and vegetables dry with paper towels. This helps the batter adhere better.
- Heat the Oil:
- In a large, deep skillet or frying pan, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Coat and Fry:
- Dip the shrimp and vegetables into the batter, allowing any excess to drip off. Carefully place them into the hot oil, frying in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Fry until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes for shrimp and 3-4 minutes for vegetables. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the tempura to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Preparing the Dipping Sauce:
- Make the Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Serve with grated daikon radish if desired.
Serving:
- Serve Hot:
- Arrange the tempura on a serving platter. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce on the side.
Tempura is a light and crispy Japanese dish that showcases the delicate flavors of seafood and vegetables. Perfect for an appetizer or main course, this dish is sure to impress with its simple yet elegant presentation. Enjoy the crunchy texture and savory taste of authentic Japanese Tempura. Itadakimasu!