TOFU AND PEPPER TEMPURA

Tofu and Pepper Tempura image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon yellow food coloring
2/3 cup iced water
6 cups grape seed oil, for frying
1 cup large diced red onion
1 cup large diced red pepper
1 cup large diced green pepper
1 cup small mushroom caps
2 cups diced tofu
12 large bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 15 minutes
1 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Soy sauce and chives, for dipping, optional

Steps:

Sift all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Beat the egg and food coloring, if using, together in another bowl. Once incorporated, add the cold water. Gradually, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly to remove any lumps. Set aside.
While the batter is resting, preheat the grape seed oil in a deep heavy skillet, over medium heat, to around 350 degrees F. Make sure, for safety, that the oil only comes 3/4 of the way up the pan.
Alternate the vegetables and tofu on the skewers to form a colorful stick of vegetables.
In a large shallow dish and the flour and season it with salt and pepper, to taste. Gently roll the tofu and vegetable skewers in the flour, coating it well and shaking off any excess flour. Dip the skewers into the tempura mix, and let the excess batter drip back into the bowl. Add the skewers to the hot oil, in batches if necessary, and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with a simple dipping sauce of soy sauce and chopped chives, if desired. Enjoy.