What Is Tempura Batter?

Here’s what you’ll need to make tempura batter:

• 1 cup of all-purpose flour (or cake flour)
• 1 cup of ice-cold water or ice cubes (you can even use sparkling water or club soda)
• 1 egg
• Neutral cooking oil

For the dipping sauce, you’ll need:

• 1 cup of dashi
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 1/4 cup of mirin
• Optional: Grated daikon radish

*If you don’t have dashi on hand, you can use a mix of water and a bit of instant dashi powder.

Once you’ve got all your ingredients, follow these steps to make the tempura:

Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, lightly beat the egg and then add your ice-cold water. Next, add the flour. Use chopsticks, a fork, or a spoon to gently combine the ingredients.

Step 2: Once the batter is mixed, place the bowl over another bowl filled with ice.

Step 3: Dip your shrimp, veggies, or whatever you’re frying into the batter, making sure it’s evenly coated. Shake off any excess batter before carefully placing it in hot neutral oil (about 350°F or 175°C is ideal). When placing your shrimp or veggies, don’t place too many pieces at a time. The pan should not be overcrowded. Remove the tempura pieces after 1-2 minutes or once they’re golden and crispy.

Step 4: Once the tempura is cooked, place it on a wire rack or on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately for the best taste and crunch!

Extra Tips:

• Avoid overmixing the batter. Lumps are a good thing when it comes to tempura.
• Use sparkling water instead of regular water for an even lighter, crispier result.
• Keep the batter cold by placing it on ice while you fry.
• Always use fresh oil.

For the classic dipping sauces, follow these steps:

Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine the dashi, soy sauce, and mirin.

Step 2: Heat the mixture till it’s warm over medium heat. Don’t forget to stir during the process. Once done, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Serve the sauce in a small dipping bowl with a small amount of grated daikon radish.

What Foods Are Best for Tempura?

When it comes to tempura, the possibilities are almost endless. Here are some great options:

• Vegetables like sweet potatoes, eggplants, lotus root, green beans, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots. Cut your veggies into thin slices for even cooking.
• White fish like cod or flounder. Make sure to use fillets that are thin and even, so they cook through quickly without the batter burning.
• Shrimp. Make a few shallow cuts along the belly to prevent any curling up when frying.
• Squids and scallops. Cut the squids into rings or strips.
• Other food items like tofu, and even fruits like bananas. For tofu, try marinating it before dipping it in batter.

What’s the Big Difference Between Tempura and Other Batters?

Unlike heavier batters used in fried chicken or fish, tempura batter is light, airy, and focused on the flavor of the ingredients. It is also made with flour, ice-cold water, and sometimes an egg, unlike other batters that use additional ingredients like baking powder.

Summary

Tempura batter is a simple recipe that’s used to achieve a light, crispy texture. Just follow this step-by-step guide mentioned above when making your tempura and you’ll get the perfect consistency.

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