This type of cuisine is famous for its tempura, a dish of deep-fried battered seafood or vegetables. Tempura battered foods are light, crispy, and delicious. But what exactly is tempura? How is it made? And what are some of the best dishes to try? Read on to find out everything you need about this popular dish.
What is a Tempura?
Tempura is a dish of deep-fried battered seafood or vegetables. The best Tempura in Singapore named “tempura” actually comes from the Latin word for “tempere”, which means “to cook”. Tempura batter is typically made from a mixture of flour, water, eggs, and baking soda. This batter results in a light and crispy coating that protects the food from absorbin g too much oil.
Seafood and vegetables are the most common ingredients used in tempura dishes, but almost anything can be tempura battered and fried. Common seafood tempura items include shrimp, squid, and fish. Vegetable tempura typically includes items like sweet potato, pumpkin, eggplant, broccoli, and asparagus.
How is Tempura Made?
- The key to making perfect tempura is all in the batter. To make the batter, simply whisk together flour, water, eggs, and baking soda until it forms a smooth paste. Then, dip your seafood or vegetables into the batter so that they are completely coated.
- Once your ingredients are coated in batter, it’s time to start frying. Traditionally, tempura is fried in sesame oil. However, any neutral-tasting oil will work fine. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then carefully add your battered ingredients to the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the fried tempura from the oil with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess grease. Serve immediately with soy sauce and pickled ginger (gari) for dipping.
Some of the Best Tempura Dishes to Try
Now that you know how tempura is made and what ingredients can be used, it’s time to start cooking! Here are some of the best tempura dishes to try:
1) Shrimp Tempura: This is one of the most popular types of tempura and can be found on many restaurant menus. Shrimp are coated in a light batter and fried until crisp. They are typically served with soy sauce for dipping.
2) Vegetable Tempura: A vegetable tempura platter typically includes items like sweet potato, pumpkin, eggplant, broccoli, asparagus, etc. They are all coated in a light batter and fried until crisp. Serve with soy sauce or another type of dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
3) Tempura Soba: Soba noodles are a type of buckwheat noodle. They can be served hot or cold and are often served with tempura shrimp or vegetables on top. For a delicious and satisfying meal, try tempura soba the next time you’re in a traditional restaurant.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a delicious appetizer or main course, tempura dishes are always a good option. Now that you know all there is to know about this popular dish, why not give it a try yourself? With so many different ingredient options available, there’s sure to be a tempura dish that everyone will enjoy!