Spring season marks the much-awaited arrival of fresh, green produce and refreshing meals as we transition from cold-weather comfort meals to light and bright summer eats. Among the many seasonal favorites, asparagus is a quintessential spring vegetable that you’ll want to snag at your local farmers’ market when it’s in season. One of the many creative ways to showcase asparagus is with a delightfully satisfying crunch inspired by a Japanese classic: tempura.
For the coveted silky batter that clings to each asparagus spear, all you need is a handful of simple ingredients — cake flour, cold seltzer water, and kosher salt. The sparkling water is the key to achieving that perfect, airy crispness as the carbonation creates tiny bubbles in the batter, which results in a light, delicate coating. When dropped in hot oil, the exterior becomes golden and crisp while the asparagus spears remain tender and deliver a satisfying snap. The tempura is ready to be taken out of the frying oil when you observe smaller bubbles on the batter and a fading out of the sizzling sound from frying.
The balance between the batter’s quality and the hot oil’s temperature is the secret to achieving the characteristic crunch of tempura vegetables. For optimum results, avoid frying multiple battered spears at once. Instead, frying them one at a time allows each piece to develop its own delectable crunch without clumping together. Allow to cool briefly, season with a sprinkle of sea salt, and your go-to spring appetizer is ready to serve. You can keep it traditional with a soy-based tempura dipping sauce or get creative with your seasonings and sauces to find ones that complement the flavor of the asparagus.
Add a satisfying crunch to your spring meals
Why stop at serving this crispy classic as an appetizer? Why not explore the versatility of tempura asparagus by adding novel textures and flavors to different dishes? There are several creative ways to incorporate it into your spring cuisine.
Turn a classic springtime lemon and asparagus pasta into something special by topping it with chopped tempura asparagus and a drizzle of lemon-infused olive oil. The contrast between the creamy pasta and crunchy asparagus creates a tasty textural experience. For a stunning sushi presentation, place tempura asparagus inside maki rolls alongside avocado and cucumber. The combination of crispy and creamy textures makes each bite worth savoring. Elevate your spring salads and grain bowls using tempura asparagus as a premium topper instead of croutons for the desired crunch factor. Along with mixed greens, sliced radishes, edamame, and a light rice vinegar dressing, you’ll be in for a balanced, refreshing meal.
Feature tempura asparagus in an elegant appetizer, wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. Add asparagus tempura to your repertoire of toppings to step up your instant ramen game. Fans of savory breakfasts can put a Japanese-inspired spin to their morning oatmeal by stirring in miso paste and topping it with green onions, crushed asparagus tempura, and natto (a fermented soybean product). This balanced breakfast might just become your default favorite for oatmeal.
It’s safe to say that we have barely brushed the surface of the many ways you can utilize tempura asparagus in your culinary creations. So, here’s your call to get adventurous in the kitchen and discover the countless possibilities of enjoying the beauty and versatility of this iconic spring produce, one gratifying bite at a time.
