Tempura

🍤 Ingredients

Batter:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup ice-cold sparkling water
• Ice cubes (to keep batter cold)
• Salt to taste

Main Ingredients:

• Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Assorted vegetables: sweet potato slices, bell pepper strips, zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms
• Vegetable or canola oil for frying

Dipping Sauce (Tentsuyu):

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup mirin
• ¼ cup dashi broth
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Grated daikon radish for serving

👨‍🍳 Directions

1. 1
   Make the sauce: Combine soy sauce, mirin, dashi, and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool. Serve with grated daikon.
2. 2
   Make the batter: Gently whisk egg with ice-cold sparkling water. Add flour and cornstarch and stir briefly — lumps are fine! Keep the bowl over ice to stay cold.
3. 3
   Heat oil in a deep pot or wok to 350–375°F.
4. 4
   Pat shrimp and vegetables dry. Dip into batter, letting excess drip off, and carefully lower into hot oil.
5. 5
   Fry for 2–4 minutes until light golden and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pot. Drain on a wire rack.
6. 6
   Serve immediately with tentsuyu dipping sauce and grated daikon. Enjoy!

🌿 Health Benefits

Tempura provides protein from shrimp and a variety of vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables. Because it is fried, it is higher in calories and fat. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients and eating in moderation makes it a satisfying treat. Vegetable tempura is a great way to enjoy a variety of vegetables in a delicious way.

📚 History

Tempura was introduced to Japan by Portuguese Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century. The word “tempura” is believed to derive from the Latin “tempora,” referring to the Lenten periods when Catholics abstained from meat and ate fried vegetables and fish. Japanese cooks refined the technique, developing the signature light, airy batter. During the Edo period (1603–1868), tempura became a beloved street food sold at outdoor stalls. Today it is one of Japan’s most iconic dishes.

❓ Quiz