VEGETABLE TEMPURA

Tempura is a popular choice when eating at most Japanese Restaurants in Tokyo. I love vegetarian tempura, it is deep fried and battered vegetables. Try making this recipe at home.

Ingredients:

• any mixed vegetables (my favorites: sweet potato, pumpkin, okra, bitter melon, string beans, eggplant)
• oil for deep frying
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• sugar (optional)
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Preparation:

1. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper.
2. Add water and 3 tbsp of olive oil.
3. Blend ingredients until smooth and creamy.
4. Chill batter for 15 minutes.
5. Wash then cut vegetables  (approx. 3 in long, 1 cm. thick) then dry all the veggies on paper towels.

Heat few inches of vegetable oil in a wok or deep frying pan over high heat. Dip vegetables in batter and drop slowly one at a time in hot oil. Allow to cook for approximately 3 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Drain the fried tempura on paper towels. Serves 3 people.