Vegetarian Planet Asparagus Wasabi Tempura

Total Time: 26 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 6 mins

Ingredients

• 16 asparagus spears, trimmed
• 3/4 cup unbleached flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 -2 teaspoon wasabi powder, to taste (for me, more is better!)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup beer
• 2 cups vegetable oil, about

Recipe

• 1 combine flour, cornstarch, salt, sugar, baking powder, ginger and wasabi powder.
• 2 add water and beer to the flour mixture; whisk slowly until smooth.
• 3 in a saucepan or skillet at least 8 inches in diameter, heat oil over medium high heat.
• 4 test oil by dropping in 1/2 teaspoon of batter.
• 5 if it bubbles and fizzes right away, oil is hot enough.
• 6 dip an asparagus spear into the batter, then carefully into the hot oil.
• 7 add 7 more, and fry them all 2 to 3 minutes.
• 8 using a slotted spoon, remove them to a paper towel-lined plate.
• 9 repeat with remaining 8 asparagus spears.
• 10 serve immediately.