Japanese Take Out Tempura With Dipping Sauce Food

SHRIMP TEMPURA WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 200 degrees. In large, heavy Dutch oven fitted with clip-on candy thermometer, heat oil over high heat to 385 degrees, 18 to 22 minutes.
• While oil heats, make 2 shallow cuts about ¼ inch deep and 1 inch apart on underside of each shrimp. Whisk flour and cornstarch together in large bowl. Whisk egg and vodka together in second large bowl. Whisk seltzer water into egg mixture.
• When oil reaches 385 degrees, pour liquid mixture into bowl with flour mixture and whisk gently until just combined (it is OK if small lumps remain). Submerge half of shrimp in batter. Using tongs, remove shrimp from batter 1 at a time, allowing excess batter to drip off, and carefully place in oil (temperature should now be at 400 degrees). Fry, stirring with chopstick or wooden skewer to prevent sticking, until light brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Once paper towels absorb excess oil, place shrimp on wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet and place in oven.
• Return oil to 400 degrees, about 4 minutes, and repeat with remaining shrimp. Serve immediately with Dipping Sauce.
• NOTE: Do not omit the vodka; it is critical for a crisp coating. For safety, use a Dutch oven with a capacity of at least 7 quarts. Be sure to begin mixing the batter when the oil reaches 385 degrees (the final temperature should reach 400 degrees). It is important to maintain a high oil temperature throughout cooking. If you are unable to find colossal shrimp (8-12 per pound), jumbo (16-20) or extra-large (21-25) may be substituted. Fry smaller shrimp in three batches, reducing the cooking time to 1½ to 2 minutes per batch. See Straighten Out Your Shrimp below for tips on preventing the shrimp from curling.
• DIPPING SAUCE: Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.

JAPANESE TAKE-OUT TEMPURA WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the dipping sauce: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil and add the dashi. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Let cool and serve at room temperature.
• In a 2-3 quart pot set over medium-high heat, heat 2 inches of oil to 360º.
• To make the batter: Combine the egg and salt in a medium bowl and beat with a fork until mixed. Add the club soda and stir gently to mix. Sift the flour and cornstarch into the egg mixture and, using chopsticks or the handle of a wooden spoon, stir briefly to mix. Do not overmix. There will be lumps. It should be the consistency of heavy cream.
• To fry the tempura: Working with one type of food at a time, dip the vegetables, shrimp, or scallops in the batter one at a time, letting the excess batter fall back into the bowl. Carefully slide them into the hot oil. Work fast and fry no more than 6 or 7 pieces at a time to prevent the oil from plunging in temperature.
• Turn the pieces when they are slightly golden on the bottom, about 1 minute. Fry on the second side for about 30 seconds to 1 minute and carefully remove with a spider (an Asian-style slotted spoon) or slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Here are some approximate frying times:.
• Zucchini = 1 1/2 minutes.
• Yellow squash = 1 1/2 minutes.
• Sweet potato = 2 minutes.
• Broccoli florets = 1 1/2 minutes.
• Small red onion = 1 1/2 minutes.
• Small mushrooms = 1 1/2 minutes.
• Shrimp = 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
• Scallops = 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
• Return the oil to 360º and carefully add another 6 or 7 pieces of tempura.
• Fry the remaining ingredients in the same manner.
• Serve the tempura hot with the dipping sauce, or with salt and freshly squeezed lemon. Grated daikon should be served alongside the fried vegetables. It can be added to the dipping sauce or on top of the vegetables.
• Variation: Other vegetables to try are carrots, asparagus, and green beans. Cook them first in boiling water for about 1 minute, then put them in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Line up 4 or 5 carrots, asparagus, or green beans, side by side, and run a wooden skewer through them to connect. Dip them in the batter and fry them, then remove the skewer after frying. Other seafood possibilities include cod, crab and squid.
• Make ahead: The dipping sauce can be kept for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

MIXED TEMPURA

Steps:

• Peel and devein the prawns, leaving the tails intact. Cut a slit in the underside of each prawn (this will prevent them curling).
• Sift the flour into a bowl, make a well in the center and add the iced water and egg yolk. Stir with chopsticks (or fork) until just combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy.
• Fill a deep heavy-based pan one third full of oil and heat to 350 degrees F, or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden in 15 seconds.
• Dip the prawns in flour to coat, shake off any excess, then dip in the batter. cook the prawns in batches until crisp and light golden. Drain on crumpled paper towels. Repeat with the vegetables. Serve the tempura immediately with tempura dipping sauce or soy sauce.
• Note: Tempura should have a very light batter and needs to be served as soon as it is cooked. Be sure that the water is ice cold as this helps to lighten the batter. If you are unsure, add a few ice cubes. If you use plain flour, add a little extra water to help thin the batter.

JAPANESE BASIC TEMPURA SAUCE

Steps:

• Put dashi, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar in a sauce pan and mix well.
• Bring to a boil on medium heat.
• Stop the heat and let it cool.
• Serve into individual small bowls.
• Add grated daikon.

JAPANESE TEMPURA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, mix all ingredients and bring to a rapid boil.
• Remove from heat and cool before serving in individual dishes alongside a platter of tempura.

JAPANESE TEMPURA SAUCE - TEN TSUYU

Steps:

• Mix the dashi, Mirin, salt, and Usukuchi or shoyu in a saucepan, and heat to boiling.
• Add the katsuobushi flakes, and continue boiling for 1 minute
• Strain the mixture through a cheese cloth or a coffee filter.
• Add finely grated tangerine skin or orange skin, and mix well.
• Allow to cool.