Visualize a beautifully scattered mosaic of light golden tempura on a shiny, flat black plate. The tempura's crispy exteriors encase deep-green leek rings and earthy brown wild mushrooms. Droplets of vibrant green chive dipping sauce artfully dot the canvas, while delicate chive flowers add a pop of color.

Winter's Embrace: Leek & Wild Mushroom Tempura

Name: Winter's Embrace: Leek & Wild Mushroom Tempura
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: white and light green parts of leek, 2 sliced into 2 cm rings; wild mushrooms, 250g clean and cut into manageable pieces; ice cold water, 2 cups for tempura batter; all purpose flour, 1.5 cup for tempura batter; corn starch, 0.5 cup for tempura batter; egg, 1 for tempura batter; soy sauce, 100ml for dipping sauce; rice wine vinegar, 50ml for dipping sauce; grated ginger, 1 tsp for dipping sauce; grated garlic, 1 tsp for dipping sauce; chives, 2 tbsp chopped finely for dipping sauce; oil, For deep frying n/a; salt, to taste n/a

Category Side Dish

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style Japanese

Technique Frying

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: February 12, 2025

Not just your average side dish, this recipe draws inspiration from the depths of winter, featuring the humble leek in a new, exciting light! A taste of the lively flavors of Japanese cuisine, it will surely warm you from the inside out.

Ingredients (for 4)

White and light green parts of leek - 2 - sliced into 2 cm rings
Wild mushrooms - 250g - clean and cut into manageable pieces
Ice cold water - 2 cups - for tempura batter
All purpose flour - 1.5 cup - for tempura batter
Corn starch - 0.5 cup - for tempura batter
Egg - 1 - for tempura batter
Soy sauce - 100ml - for dipping sauce
Rice wine vinegar - 50ml - for dipping sauce
Grated ginger - 1 tsp - for dipping sauce
Grated garlic - 1 tsp - for dipping sauce
Chives - 2 tbsp - chopped finely for dipping sauce
Oil - For deep frying - n/a
Salt - to taste - n/a

Preparation

Step 1 - 💦🥚🥣

Mix the flour, corn starch, and egg in a bowl. Gradually add the ice-cold water, stirring until the mixture has a thin, runny consistency.
Step 2 - 🌡️🛢️🔥

Heat oil in a deep fryer to 180°C (356°F).
Step 3 - 🥬🍄🍤

Coat the leeks and mushrooms in the tempura batter and deep-fry them until crispy-gold.
Step 4 - 🥣🥢🍲

While the tempura is frying, prepare the dipping sauce by mixing all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
Step 5 - 🧂🍽️😋

Carefully remove the fried tempura from the oil and place them on a paper towel to remove any excess oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and serve warm with the tangy dipping sauce.

Additional

This dish not only tastes great, but also adds a distinct pop of color to your winter fare! You can also experiment by substitifying the wild mushrooms with other veggies based on what you find at the grocery store. Children can assist in mixing the batter and setting the table for a fun family kitchen adventure. Enjoy the crunch!