Tempura Zucchini Food

TEMPURA ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• If the zucchini is large, remove the seeds with a spoon or melon baller before slicing. Slice the zucchini into fingers about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Note: thinner fingers cook faster than thick ones, so think French fries more than potato wedges.
• In a small bowl whisk together the soy, ginger, sugar, garlic and chili sauce (if using). Adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside.
• Mix flour, corn starch, baking powder and salt together with a whisk to blend thoroughly. When the oil reaches 350°F (see note below if you don't have a candy thermometer), whisk in enough cold seltzer water or cold plain tap water to make the batter the consistency of heavy cream.
• Dip the zucchini in the tempura batter and gently add to the oil. Fry until golden and cooked all the way through. This takes between 5 and 7 minutes, but will vary with thickness of the zucchini slice and how hot the oil is. The oil's temperature will drop when you add the battered vegetables, so allow the oil to come back up to heat between batches. As soon as the zucchini slices are golden and cooked, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon or spider. Place on several layers of paper towel to drain.
• Eat while still hot. Serve with dipping sauce.

TEMPURA MUSHROOM STUFFED ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• In a hot saute pan coated with oil, add the shallots and mushrooms and stir. Season and cook soft, about 5 minutes. Drain the mix in a strainer, place on plate and put in the refrigerator. When the mix is cold, squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Check for seasoning and transfer to a food processor and add thyme, egg, butter and truffle oil. Pulse a few times to break the mushrooms and butter into small pieces-do not puree! Transfer to a bowl and fold in edamame and chives. Using a pastry bag or ziploc with end cut off, fill blossoms full. Make tempura batter by whisking the rice flour with the soda water until a pancake batter consistency is achieved. Dip the blossoms in the batter and deep fry at 350 degrees until golden brown and delicious, about 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and serve immediately on a decorative platter.

ZUCCHINI TEMPURA

Steps:

• 1. ZUCCHINI - Slice the zucchini into strips about 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Note: thinner zucchini strips cook faster than thicker ones; think French fries rather than potato wedges.
• 2. DIPPING SAUCE - In a small bowl whisk together the soy sauce, ginger, sugar, garlic and chili sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside.
• 3. TEMPURA - Thoroughly whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. When the oil reaches 350°F , whisk in enough cold seltzer water (or cold tap water) to make the batter the consistency of heavy cream. NOTE: If you don't have a candy thermometer, heat the oil until it starts to move. Dip a wooden chopstick into the oil. If it bubbles, the oil is hot enough.
• 4. Dip the zucchini in the tempura batter and gently add to the oil. Fry until golden and cooked through, about 5 and 7 minutes but will vary with thickness of the zucchini slice and oil temperature. The oil's temperature will drop when you add the battered vegetables, so allow the oil to heat back up between batches. As soon as the zucchini slices are golden, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon. Place on several layers of paper towel layers to drain.
• 5. They're best served while still hot. Serve with the dipping sauce.