Snack or starter
Serves 4, vegan
For
the dipping sauce
2
tbsp castor sugar
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp vodka
2 tbsp shoyu
2.5 cm root ginger, grated
1 large orange, finely grated zest only
1 tsp sesame oi
For
the batter
160g
gram flour
230ml soda water
pinch baking powder
2 tsp seasoned rice vinegar
pinch castor sugar
pinch salt
For
the tempura
50g
carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
50g red pepper, cut into strips
50g baby corn, halved lengthwise
75g cauliflower florets
75g broccoli florets
75g aubergine, cut into 1 cm slices and halved
1 small red onion, cut into half circles about 1 cm thick
75g small closed cup mushrooms
50g smoked or marinated tofu, cut into cubes
few sprigs fresh flat parsley or coriander
ground nut oil
and piece of bread to deep fry
Method
1.
Make the dipping sauce first: very gently heat the sugar with the water
and vodka until dissolved. Cool slightly then add remaining ingredients.
2. Have everything else ready before you make the batter. To make the
batter, put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Turn
into a bowl.
3. Piur sufficient oil for deep frying into the wok and heat until a
cube of bread will brown in 15 seconds. The oil must not be too hot (the
tempura will float and not cook properly) or too cold (the tempura will
sink and become oil-clogged). Use a deep fat fryer of preferred.
4.Dip pieces of vegetable and tofu into the batter and deep fry until
golden, turning each piece over as needed. Drain well on kitchen paper.
5. Serve while hot with dipping sauce in a small bowl on the side.
© The
Vegetarian Society 2005
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