Crispy Vegetable Tempura with Savory Tentsuyu Dipping Sauce
Discover the delicious world of Japanese cuisine with this incredible Crispy Vegetable Tempura recipe! This dish is perfect for impressing family and friends, as its light and airy texture, combined with the delectable crunch of fresh vegetables, creates a delightful culinary experience. The accompanying Tentsuyu dipping sauce adds a savory umami touch that perfectly complements the tempura, making it irresistible even to the pickiest eaters. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe will have everyone at your table asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
egg yolks
2 (Separate the yolks from the whites.)
ice water
1 1/2 cups (Use very cold water with ice.)
flour
1 3/4 cups (Sifted to aerate.)
dashi
3 tablespoons (Use prepared or instant dashi.)
mirin
1 tablespoon (Sweet rice wine.)
soy sauce
1 tablespoon (Low sodium preferred.)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks until well blended.
2
Gradually add the ice-cold water to the egg yolks, stirring gently with chopsticks or a whisk to incorporate air. Do not over-mix.
3
Sift in the flour all at once and fold it into the batter gently, leaving some lumps for that signature tempura texture.
4
In a deep frying pan or pot, heat a generous half-inch of oil (or enough to submerge the vegetables) over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
5
Dip your choice of large, fresh vegetables (like sweet potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers) into the tempura batter, allowing any excess to drip off.
6
Carefully place the battered vegetables into the hot oil, frying for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if necessary.
7
Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried tempura from the oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
8
To prepare the Tentsuyu dipping sauce, combine dashi, mirin, and soy sauce in a small bowl or pot, mixing well. Serve in small dipping bowls alongside the tempura.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Vegetable Tempura?
Crispy Vegetable Tempura is a popular Japanese dish featuring fresh vegetables dipped in a light, airy batter and deep-fried until golden and crunchy.
What vegetables are best for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using large, fresh vegetables such as sweet potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers for the best results.
How do I make the tempura batter crispy?
To achieve maximum crispiness, use ice-cold water, sift the flour to aerate it, and avoid over-mixing the batter.
Why does the recipe use ice water?
Ice-cold water helps prevent the gluten in the flour from developing too much, which ensures the batter stays light and crispy rather than chewy.
What is Tentsuyu sauce?
Tentsuyu is a traditional savory Japanese dipping sauce made from a combination of dashi, mirin, and soy sauce.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, while the standard recipe uses egg yolks, you can create a vegan version by omitting the egg and using a vegan-friendly dashi.
Why should I leave lumps in the tempura batter?
Leaving some lumps in the batter is a signature technique in tempura making; it contributes to the unique, airy texture of the fried coating.
How much oil do I need for frying?
You should use a generous half-inch of oil, or enough to fully submerge the vegetables during the frying process.
How long do I fry the vegetables?
Fry the battered vegetables for approximately 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and crispy.
What temperature should the oil be?
The oil should be heated over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, typically around 340-360 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use low-sodium soy sauce?
Yes, the recipe actually prefers low-sodium soy sauce to balance the saltiness of the Tentsuyu dipping sauce.
What is dashi?
Dashi is a Japanese soup stock that provides a rich umami flavor; it is a key component of the dipping sauce in this recipe.
How do I prevent the tempura from being too oily?
After frying, place the vegetables on paper towels to drain excess oil and ensure they remain light and crisp.
Is it okay to fry all the vegetables at once?
No, you should avoid overcrowding the pan. It is better to fry in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
What is mirin?
Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine that adds depth and a hint of sweetness to the Tentsuyu sauce.
How should I prepare the flour?
The flour should be sifted before use to aerate it, which helps create a lighter batter.
How do I combine the sauce ingredients?
Simply mix the dashi, mirin, and soy sauce together in a small bowl or pot until well blended.
What tools should I use to mix the batter?
The recipe suggests using chopsticks or a whisk to gently incorporate air into the batter.
Should the egg yolks be separated from the whites?
Yes, this recipe specifically calls for 2 egg yolks with the whites removed.
Can children enjoy this dish?
Yes, it is tagged as family-friendly and is designed to be appealing even to pickiest eaters because of its crunchy texture.
Is this a difficult recipe to follow?
No, it is classified as an easy recipe with simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
What type of dish is tempura usually served as?
Tempura is versatile and can be served as an appetizer, a snack, or a main vegetable dish.
Can I use instant dashi?
Yes, you can use either prepared dashi or instant dashi for the dipping sauce.
How do I apply the batter to the vegetables?
Dip the vegetables into the batter and allow any excess to drip off before carefully placing them in the hot oil.
Do I need to whisk the egg yolks first?
Yes, start by whisking the egg yolks in a large mixing bowl until they are well blended before adding other ingredients.
What is the key to the 'signature tempura texture'?
The key is folding the flour in gently and leaving some lumps rather than making a smooth paste.
How do I serve the Tentsuyu sauce?
Serve the sauce in small individual dipping bowls alongside the hot, fried tempura.
What should I do if the oil starts smoking?
If the oil smokes, it is too hot. Reduce the heat immediately to prevent burning the batter and the vegetables.
Can I use other vegetables not listed?
While the recipe mentions sweet potatoes and zucchini, tempura is very flexible and works with most firm, fresh vegetables.
Is the Tentsuyu sauce served hot or cold?
The sauce can be mixed in a pot or bowl; it is typically served at room temperature or slightly warmed to accompany the hot tempura.