Tempura, a classic Japanese dish, tantalizes taste buds with its crispy, light-as-air batter enveloping a variety of succulent ingredients. This delectable culinary creation has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide, and now, with this comprehensive guide, you can effortlessly recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen.
Embark on a culinary journey as we unveil the secrets of tempura crumbs, the key to achieving that perfect crispy texture. Discover the art of selecting the finest ingredients, from choosing the right type of flour to understanding the importance of ice-cold water. Learn how to create a batter that strikes the perfect balance between crispiness and tenderness, resulting in an unforgettable taste experience.
Our collection of tempura recipes offers something for every palate. Indulge in the classic Vegetable Tempura, where fresh vegetables are coated in a golden-brown batter and fried to perfection. For a seafood extravaganza, try the Shrimp Tempura, where succulent shrimp are transformed into crispy delights. If you prefer a heartier option, the Chicken Tempura is sure to satisfy, with tender chicken pieces encased in a crispy coating.
And for those seeking a unique twist, explore the creative possibilities of Asparagus Tempura, where delicate asparagus spears are enveloped in a light batter and fried until crisp. For a taste of the Orient, try the Sweet Potato Tempura, where sweet potato slices are coated in a flavorful tempura batter and fried to a golden crisp.
With step-by-step instructions, detailed ingredient lists, and helpful tips, this guide empowers home cooks of all skill levels to master the art of tempura. Prepare to impress your family and friends with this iconic Japanese dish, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving more.
TEMPURA
Tempura is a popular Japanese deep-fried dish of seafood and vegetables encased in a light yet crispy batter. Learn how to make perfect tempura at home!
Provided by Namiko Chen
Categories Main Course
Time 1h15m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Combine the dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Follow these instructions to straighten the shrimp, so it looks gorgeous. Pat the shrimp dry and make sure the moisture is completely removed from the shrimp.
- Cut all the vegetables (except the eggplant) ¼-inch thick. For the eggplant, cut off and discard the stem and calyx, then cut it in half lengthwise. With the cut side flat on the cutting board, cut the eggplant lengthwise into very thin slices (about ⅛ inch or 3 mm), being careful to leave the bottom tip intact by 1 inch (2.5 cm) so the slices stay connected. Then, gently press down on the slices to fan them out. Repeat with the other eggplant half.
- In a medium-sized pot, heat 1½ inches to 2 inches (3-5 cm) of the oil to 350°F (180°C).
- While the oil is heating up, start preparing the tempura batter. Add the egg and the iced water into a 2-cup measuring cup (or any bowl). Whisk the egg mixture vigorously and discard the foam on the surface.
- Sift the flour into a large bowl. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the flour. Mix the batter, but do not overmix; it's okay to leave some lumps in the batter. Keep the batter cold at all times (store it in the refrigerator if needed). Make the batter right before deep-frying to avoid activating the wheat gluten.
- Check the oil temperature with a thermometer to make sure the oil is 350°F (180°C). You can also use wooden chopsticks to check; when you dip your chopsticks in the oil and see small bubbles forming, it's ready for deep-frying. Please note that sweet potatoes and kabocha require a lower cooking temperature (320ºF/160℃). If you want to read more deep-frying tips, please read this post.
- Deep-fry starting with the cleaner and less astringent ingredients. For example, the cooking order would be shiso first, followed by the mushrooms, eggplant, shrimp, sweet potatoes, and kabocha. Make sure your ingredients are dry before dipping them in the batter; if they're wet, dry them with a paper towel first. While the tempura is frying, the moisture from the ingredients will evaporate and the tempura will become crispy. However, if the ingredients have extra moisture, the tempura will become soggy after deep-frying.
- When the oil reaches the right temperature, dip one piece of vegetable or shrimp in the batter, let the excess drip off for a second or two, and very gently place it into the hot oil. Continue dipping and adding one piece at a time. For the shrimp, sprinkle some flour or potato starch (or cornstarch) over it before dipping to help the tempura batter adhere. For the shiso leaves, sprinkle a bit of sifted flour on the back of the leaf, dip only the back of the leaf into the batter, and deep-fry for 15 seconds. The flour acts as a glue and the batter tends to stay on the ingredients better.
- Deep-fry the ingredients until golden brown. Do not crowd the pot because the oil temperature will drop quickly. Remember, your ingredients should take up no more than about half of the oil surface area at any one time. Here's the rough cooking time for each of the ingredients: Shiso (350ºF/180ºC, 20-30 seconds), mushrooms (350ºF/180ºC, 1 min), eggplant (350ºF/180ºC, 1 min), shrimp (350ºF/180ºC, 2 minutes), sweet potatoes (320ºF/160℃, 3 mins), and kabocha (320ºF/160℃, 2-3 mins). Note that sweet potatoes and kabocha require a lower cooking temperature than the rest of the tempura ingredients.
- Transfer the tempura to a wire rack or a plate lined with a paper towel to drain the excess oil.
- Between batches, clean the oil by scooping up the crumbs (called tenkasu), which will burn and turn the oil darker if left in the pot.
- Grate the daikon and squeeze the liquid out. Prepare 3-4 Tbsp of warm tentsuyu in individual small bowls and serve the grated daikon on the side.
- Put 1 Tbsp of the grated daikon in the sauce and dip the tempura in the sauce to enjoy.
- You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and in the freezer for 2 weeks. Reheat the tempura at 350ºF (180ºC) in the oven until warm and crisp.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 308 kcal, Carbohydrate 43 g, Protein 12 g, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 123 mg, Sodium 473 mg, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving
EASY TEMPURA BATTER RECIPE
This quick and easy authentic Japanese tempura batter requires only egg, ice water, and flour. Follow a few simple steps and you'll get excellent results.
Provided by Setsuko Yoshizuka
Categories Appetizer Side Dish Ingredient
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- In a small bowl, sift the flour once or twice to remove any clumps and to make it light and soft. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, gently beat egg until the yolk and egg whites are just barely incorporated.
- Combine the water and ice cubes in a cup. Using a strainer, strain the water (you should have 1 cup of ice-cold water) and add it to the bowl with the beaten egg. Make sure you do not actually add ice cubes to the tempura batter.
- Add the sifted flour into the bowl with the egg and water mixture and lightly combine the flour using chopsticks . Be careful not to overmix the batter; it should be a little lumpy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 88 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 15 mg, Sugar 0 g, Fat 1 g, ServingSize 2 cups batter (2 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g
ASPARAGUS TEMPURA
It's as simple as it sounds: tempura asparagus, deep-fried to a golden crisp. Goes great with ranch and is great for a get-together.
Provided by LLawson
Categories Appetizers and Snacks
Time 20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Heat 1 to 2 inches of oil in a saucepan or deep fryer over medium-high heat.
- Stir tempura mix and water together to make a loose batter.
- Cut tough ends from the bottom of the asparagus spears. Dip into the batter, making sure spears are evenly coated.
- Carefully add 5 to 6 asparagus spears to the hot oil. Fry until they float to the top, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Drain on paper towels and season with sea salt. Repeat with remaining asparagus.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 165.6 calories, Carbohydrate 14 g, Fat 11.3 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 965.3 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
TEMPURA CRUMBS
Use these to top our Japanese Salad with Shiso Leaves, Sake, and Soba Noodles.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Yield Makes about 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Whisk together egg and ice water in a small bowl. Add flour all at once, and whisk until combined but still slightly lumpy. Stir in nori and salt.
- Heat oil in a deep, heavy pot or a deep-fryer until it registers 360 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Dribble spoonfuls of batter into hot oil; fry, covered with a splatter screen, until pale golden and crisp, 1 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towel to drain.
PANKO TEMPURA
Make and share this Panko Tempura recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Jen in Victoria
Categories Japanese
Time 45m
Yield 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Pour at least 2 inches of oil into a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, prepare 2 bowls. In one, mix the flour and ice water until smooth. In another bowl, place the panko crumbs.
- When the oil is hot enough, dip the vegetables into the flour-water bowl, then into the panko crumbs.
- Fry until golden on both sides; drain on paper towels.
- Serve with tempura dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 383.9, Fat 3.3, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 399.8, Carbohydrate 74.6, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 3.5, Protein 12.1
Tips:
- Use cold water to make the tempura batter. This will help the batter to be light and crispy.
- Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing will make the batter tough.
- Use a light touch when coating the food in the batter. This will help to prevent the batter from becoming too thick.
- Fry the food in hot oil. This will help the food to cook quickly and evenly.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying the food. This will prevent the food from cooking evenly.
- Serve the tempura immediately after frying. This will ensure that the food is crispy and delicious.
Conclusion:
Tempura is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can easily make tempura at home. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give tempura a try.
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