Prawn Tempura ( Battered Prawns )

Ingredients

• 16 pieces Large Prawns/shrimp (Large king prawns, tiger prawns, shrimp, ( Peeled, deveined, and tail-on ))
• 2 tbsp Plain flour (To dust the prawns)
• Oil for frying (Vegetable or neutral flavour oil)
• Salt & pepper to taste (To season the prawns)
• 100 gram Plain flour (All-purpose flour)
• 30 gram Corn starch (Or potato starch)
• 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 Egg
• 200 ml Cold water
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce (Light soy or all-purpose Japanese soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp Mirin (Japanese rice cooking wine)
• 1 tbsp Rice vinegar (or lemon juice)
• 1-2 tsp Brown sugar (or white sugar)
• 1/4 tsp Grated ginger

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Prepare Prawns ---

2. 2

   Prawns should be peeled, deveined, and pat dry with paper towel or clean cloth to remove excess moisture. ( You can either leave the tail-on or remove the tails to your preference. )

3. 3

   To prevent the prawn from curling, cut shallow diagonal slits on the bottom and also on the top of the prawn. Then gently press and flatten it make it straight. Season the prawns with salt and pepper to taste.

4. 4

   Lightly dust each prawn in the plain flour and set them aside.

5. 5

   --- Make Tempura Batter ---

6. 6

   Combine plain flour, corn starch, and baking powder in a small bowl and set it aside. Whisk one egg and cold water in a large mixing bowl. Add the flour mixture in. Stir gently for 1-2 minutes and don't worry about the lumps.

7. 7

   --- Deep-Frying ---

8. 8

   Fill the pot with frying oil about 3-4 inches high. Heat the oil over medium-high heat between ( 340º-350º F ). Test with few drops of batter if the oil is ready or not. Once the oil is hot enough, dip the prawn in the batter mix, gently toss excess batter.

9. 9

   Add the battered prawns in hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes or until crispy. Flip occacionally. Then remove from oil and place it over the cooling rack. ( Repeat the process and do not overcrowd the frying oil. Fry with small batches. )

10. 10

    --- Dipping Sauce ---

11. 11

    Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and grated ginger in a small bowl and whisk until sugar dissolved.