Tempura is a popular Japanese dish of deep-fried seafood or vegetables. The word “tempura” actually comes from the Portuguese word “tempero”, meaning “seasoning” or “spice”. Shrimp tempura is one of the most popular types of tempura, and is often served as an appetizer or main dish. This dish is made by coating shrimp in a light batter and deep-frying them until they are crispy and golden brown. Shrimp tempura can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, tonkatsu sauce, or sweet and sour sauce. It can also be served with a side of steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup ice cold water
- vegetable oil for frying
Method
- In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and water.
- Dip shrimp in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then back in the flour mixture.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp to the hot oil and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove shrimp from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Potential changes & improvements
There are many potential changes and improvements that can be made to this dish. For example, you could use a different type of seafood in the tempura batter, such as fish, squid, or scallops. You could also add vegetables to the tempura batter, such as mushrooms, sweet potatoes, or green beans. If you want a lighter batter, you could try using a beer batter instead of the flour batter. And for a healthier version of shrimp tempura, you could try baking the shrimp instead of frying them.
What other food it works well with
Shrimp tempura goes well with a variety of other foods. It is often served with a side of steamed rice, but it can also be served with noodles, salad, or vegetables. Shrimp tempura is also a popular ingredient in sushi rolls.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake when making shrimp tempura is not using enough oil in the pan. The shrimp should be cooked in hot oil, so be sure to use enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Another mistake is not coating the shrimp evenly with the batter. Be sure to coat the shrimp completely in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then back in the flour mixture.
Nutritional Information
One serving of shrimp tempura (3-4 shrimp) contains approximately 200 calories. It is high in protein and fat, and low in carbohydrates. Shrimp tempura is also a good source of iron and calcium.
Allergens
This recipe contains the following allergens: shrimp, egg, wheat.