Crispy Purple Sprouting Broccoli Tempura with a Simple Dipping Sauce

Hi, it’s Scott here with this week’s seasonal recipe, and as we head into purple sprouting broccoli season, I thought I’d share a simple yet delicious way to enjoy those first tender pickings.

Whenever I harvest the first batch of any fruit or vegetable, I like to keep things straightforward, allowing the fresh flavour to shine through. Only after a few harvests do I start experimenting with more complex dishes. This week, I’m sharing how I love to cook my first pickings of purple sprouting broccoli—tempura style.

Light, crispy, and paired with a simple dipping sauce, this Japanese-inspired dish is the perfect way to appreciate the natural sweetness and crunch of freshly harvested purple sprouting broccoli.

So, let’s head to the kitchen and get cooking!

Find More Recipes

As always, you can find this recipe and many more over at theveggrowerpodcast.co.uk and on my Instagram: Seed to Table Plot 13.

Ingredients

For the Tempura

  • 200g purple sprouting broccoli, larger ones cut in half lengthways
  • 140g cornflour
  • 60g plain flour
  • 160ml ice-cold sparkling water
  • A handful of chopped coriander

For the Dipping Sauce

  • 40ml soy sauce
  • 10ml mirin
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger

Method

1️⃣ Prepare the Batter – In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cornflour, plain flour, and ice-cold sparkling water until you have a smooth, light batter. Stir in the chopped coriander.

2️⃣ Make the Dipping Sauce – Simply mix together the soy sauce, mirin, and grated ginger in a small bowl and set aside.

3️⃣ Heat the Oil – Fill a deep saucepan or fryer with oil and heat to 190°C. If you don’t have a thermometer, test by dropping a little batter in – it should sizzle and float immediately.

4️⃣ Fry the Broccoli – Dip the purple sprouting broccoli into the batter, ensuring an even coating, and carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry in batches for about 2 minutes, until light golden and crisp.

5️⃣ Drain & Serve – Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce on the side.

Enjoying the Best of the Season

This tempura-style purple sprouting broccoli is a simple yet impressive way to enjoy one of the first true harvests of spring. The light, crispy batter complements the nutty, slightly sweet flavour of the broccoli, while the umami-rich dipping sauce adds just the right balance of saltiness and warmth.

Perfect as a starter, side dish, or even a light snack, this is a fantastic way to make the most of your fresh garden produce.

If you give this a try, let me know how it turns out! Tag me on Instagram (@seedtotableplot13) with your photos – I’d love to see them!

Until next time, happy cooking and happy growing!

The post Crispy Purple Sprouting Broccoli Tempura with a Simple Dipping Sauce appeared first on The Veg Grower Podcast.



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