Vegetarian Planet Asparagus Wasabi Tempura - cooking recipe

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

Preparation

Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, sugar, baking powder, ginger and wasabi powder.
Add water and beer to the flour mixture; whisk slowly until smooth.
In a saucepan or skillet at least 8 inches in diameter, heat oil over medium high heat.
Test oil by dropping in 1/2 teaspoon of batter.
If it bubbles and fizzes right away, oil is hot enough.
Dip an asparagus spear into the batter, then carefully into the hot oil.
Add 7 more, and fry them all 2 to 3 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, remove them to a paper towel-lined plate.
Repeat with remaining 8 asparagus spears.
Serve immediately.