Vegetables - the most suitable ones are:
Potatoes
Onion
Carrot
Capsicum (green, red, orange, yellow)
Eggplant
Zucchini
French Beans
Asparagus
How much? Guess! For two people, I have about 3-4 large handfuls when sliced vegetables are mixed in a bowl. (We like vegetables!)
Vegetables NOT suitable are those with a high water content, for example, Tomato, Cucumber, Cabbage and Lettuce.
Tempura Batter
2 eggs
1/4 cup plain flour
1/4 cup cornflour
Oil for deep frying (I
like sunflower oil)
Cut all vegetables to the size of French fries - about 5-6 cm long.
Combine vegetables in a large bowl and mix well, Add one egg and mix well. At this stage the mix should be a little dry.
Add another egg and mix well.
Add 1/4 cup cornflour and mix through, then add the plain flour and mix well.
If the mixture is too moist, add more cornflour and plain flour until the mixture is slightly dry. It should be just sticky, not thick and heavy. Lumps are OK. DON'T mix any more than is nessecery to just coat the vegetables.
Heat oil in deep fryer or deep pan.
BE VERY CAREFUL AND HAVE A LID READILY TO HAND IF YOU ARE USING AN OPEN PAN. IF THE PAN CATCHES FIRE QUICKLY COVER IT - DO NOT SPRAY WITH WATER!!
Using a wet wooden spoon scoop up enough mixture to make bite size pieces and deep fry until BARELY coloured.
Tip: I use my hand and don't make patties, just leave the bite size piece untidy.
When cooked remove from oil and drain thoroughly on absorbent paper.
Continue until all vegetable mixture is used up.
Dipping Sauce
2 cups water
1 tbs Bonito flakes
2 tbs sugar
2 tbs mirin
1/4 cup
soy sauce
2 or 3 dry shitake mushrooms
Place all ingredients in a saucepan and boil for 3-5 minutes. Use when cool.
