| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins – 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 300 | 15g | 8g | 40g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 20g | 3g | 5g | 0.2g |
The love I hold for this Aonori Tempura recipe can hardly be measured. Brought to life by the combination of crisp fruits and the unique, delectable flavors from the Aonori seaweed, it delivers an exceptional blend of flavors that scintillate the taste buds. It borrows from the tradition of tempura, a style immensely popular in Japanese cuisine, but this version adds its own twist by incorporating a fruit base.
Unforgettable Fusion
Aonori Tempura, with its delightful fusion, sums up my overall approach to cooking. Just as my mixed heritage of Atlanta’s southern soul food and my Nigerian parents’ spice-filled cuisine has formed my palate, this recipe harmonizes the crisp and the sweet, embodied by the fruits, with the oceanic kicks from Aonori. What you get is a dish that brings you the best of both worlds; a plateful reminiscent of Southern evenings coupled with a West African inspired spice melange.
A Healthful Indulgence
Besides its captivating fusion of flavors, the health benefits associated with this particular recipe are another reason to add it to your cooking list. Aonori, a type of green seaweed used here, is a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with iodine, calcium, and a variety of vitamins, it offers healthful advantages that go beyond its delicious flavors. The inclusion of a variety of fruits, depending on what’s in season, adds another boost of vitamins and fiber.
Despite the frying process, using vegetable oil which is a healthier choice and the dusting of powdered sugar, keeps the dish from being overly indulgent. A serving of Aonori Tempura, therefore, becomes a pleasant treat that does not compromise on a balanced diet.
Complementary Combinations
Regardless of its standalone brilliance, Aonori Tempura also pairs perfectly with other dishes. Pair it with a scoop of homemade ice cream for an unforgettable dessert, or serve it alongside green tea, offering a depth of flavor with each nibble.
Whether you’re sitting down to a relaxing weekend meal, hosting a gathering, or trying to impress your loved ones with your culinary skills, Aonori Tempura stands tall as a dish that captures your heart. Sharing this recipe brings me joy – I hope it will do the same for you.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of ice cold seltzer water
- 1/2 cup of Aonori (green seaweed)
- 2 cups of vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cups of assorted fruit (such as bananas, apples, pears, peaches, etc.), sliced
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar for dusting
Method
Step One
To begin with, prepare your tempura batter. In a medium-sized bowl, mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup of Aonori or green seaweed. Set this mixture aside for later.
Step Two
In a separate larger bowl, break one egg. Beat it until you achieve a smooth consistency. After that, slowly incorporate 1 cup of ice-cold seltzer water into the bowl, whisking well to create a smooth blend of the two ingredients.
Step Three
Gradually add your flour and seaweed mixture to the bowl with the beaten egg and seltzer water. Combine thoroughly until you’ve created a semi-thick batter with an even consistency. Be careful not to overmix the batter as it can result in a heavy, greasy tempura.
Step Four
Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or heavy pot over medium heat. To check if your oil is ready, drop a bit of batter into it. If the batter comes up right away instead of sinking, the oil is hot enough for frying.
Step Five
Dip the sliced fruits one by one into the tempura batter, making sure each slice is fully coated. Once coated, carefully place them into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid them sticking together. Fry until they turn golden brown on all sides, flipping them halfway through. This cooking process usually takes around 1-2 minutes for each side.
Step Six
Once the fruits are all fried, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon. Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
Step Seven
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of powdered sugar over the freshly fried Aonori Tempura. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious treat while it’s still hot and crispy!
