Tempura tofu on smashed cucumber with sesame oil and ginger

This Asian inspired dish layers creamy tofu encased in crispy tempura batter on top of fresh crunchy cucumber that has been smothered in a zingy ginger and sesame oil dressing.

My favourite dishes are those that include contrasts in taste and/or texture. Colour contrasts are a bonus. This dish certainly has such contrasts. The tempura tofu was such a delight to bite into. So crispy with a silky smooth centre. The fresh and crunchy ginger coated cucumber was a lively second act, refreshing the palate ready for the next bite of tofu.

I usually buy a tempura flour mix, though it is easy to prepare yourself. Sift together 1 cup of all purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of rice starch, and one tablespoon of corn starch. A number of tempura batter recipes use an egg. I prefer it without the egg. Just lightly combine the flour mix with very cold sparkling water and use. Light and crisp. A well chilled lager beer works well too.

Tempura tofu on smashed cucumber with sesame oil and ginger

Servings: 4 people

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Ingredients

Tofu

• 400 g soft tofu
• 150 g tempura flour mix
• 1 can lager beer well chilled
• Oil for shallow or deep frying

Smashed cucumber

• 4 medium sized cucumbers
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tsp ginger juice squeezed from about 2 “thumbs” worth of freshly grated ginger
• 3 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 4 cloves garlic crushed
• 2 Tbsp Japanese pickled ginger
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup rinsed coriander leaves removed from their stems
• 2 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

Tofu

1. Cut tofu into bite sized pieces (1.5 to 2cm per side)
2. Whisk lager beer into the tempura flour mix until it reaches a heavy cream consistency.
3. Bring the oil to a high heat.
4. Coat the tofu pieces in the batter, then add to the oil. Turn over after a couple of minutes.
5. When golden all over, remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Smashed cucumber

1. To smash the cucumber, cut into 10cm pieces and halve length ways.
2. Lay cut side down. Place the flat edge of a large knife on top of the cucumber and punch down lightly on it so that the cucumber breaks up a bit. The skin should crack and the seeds separate. Discard the seeds.
3. Dice the larger portions into bit sized pieces.
4. Place the smashed cucumber into a colander, sprinkle with 2 tsp salt and toss.
5. Place a bowl under the colander and allow the moisture to drain from the cucumber for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Dressing and final preparation

1. To prepare the dressing, in a bowl combine the rice vinegar, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tsp sugar. Stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved.
2. Stir in the sesame oil, ginger juice, soy sauce, and half the crushed garlic.
3. When ready to serve, shake off any remaining liquid from the cucumber.
4. Drizzle with the olive oil, add the remainder of the garlic, pickled ginger, and coriander leaves and toss.
5. Drizzle with the 1/2 the dressing and toss until well coated.
6. Garnish with sesame seeds.
7. Use the other half of the dressing as a dipping sauce for the tofu.