Fig and strawberry tempura with lemon verbena crème brûlée and strawberry sauce
France
Known as a French recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.
Ingredients 19 ingredients
- Dip
- 75g/3oz caster sugar
- 75-110ml/3-4fl oz sparkling water
- Bread
- vegetable oil, for deep-frying
- 125ml/4½fl oz milk
- 12 strawberries
- pinch salt
- 375ml/13fl oz double cream
- 25g/1oz demerara sugar
- 3 sprigs fresh lemon verbena
- 5 free-range egg yolks
- 50g/2oz plain flour
- 50g/2oz cornflour
- 1-2 tbsp icing sugar
- 75-110ml/3-4fl oz ginger ale
- 250g/9oz strawberries, hulled and chopped
- Cut
- 4 figs, halved lengthways
Possible health benefits
General information, not medical advice.
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Bread
High in thiamine · 0.4 mg per 100 g, 40% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Thiamine contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Thiamine contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Thiamine contributes to normal psychological function.
1 more authorised claims
- Thiamine contributes to the normal function of the heart.
Thiamin (also called vitamin B1) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Thiamin is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet
High in riboflavin · 0.4 mg per 100 g, 31% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Riboflavin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Riboflavin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
6 more authorised claims
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal red blood cells.
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
- Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
- Riboflavin contributes to the normal metabolism of iron.
- Riboflavin contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Riboflavin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Riboflavin (also called vitamin B2) is important for the growth, development, and function of the cells in your body. It also helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. NIH fact sheet
High in niacin · 4.8 mg per 100 g, 30% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Niacin contributes to normal psychological function.
3 more authorised claims
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
- Niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
- Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Niacin (also called vitamin B3) helps turn the food you eat into the energy you need. Niacin is important for the development and function of the cells in your body. NIH fact sheet
High in folate · 105 µg per 100 g, 53% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
- Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis.
- Folate contributes to normal blood formation.
5 more authorised claims
- Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Folate contributes to normal psychological function.
- Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Folate has a role in the process of cell division.
Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. NIH fact sheet
High in selenium · 30 µg per 100 g, 55% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis.
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
3 more authorised claims
- Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Selenium contributes to the normal thyroid function.
- Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Selenium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Your thyroid gland needs selenium to produce hormones and function properly. NIH fact sheet
Source of phosphorus · 106 mg per 100 g, 15% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Phosphorus contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Phosphorus contributes to normal function of cell membranes.
- Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
1 more authorised claims
- Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.
Phosphorus is a mineral contained in each cell in our body. Most phosphorus is in the bones and teeth, and some is in your genes. NIH fact sheet
Source of iron · 3.0 mg per 100 g, 22% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Iron contributes to normal cognitive function.
- Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
4 more authorised claims
- Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body.
- Iron contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Iron has a role in the process of cell division.
Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. NIH fact sheet
Source of copper · 0.2 mg per 100 g, 16% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.
- Copper contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
5 more authorised claims
- Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation.
- Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body.
- Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.
- Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Copper is a mineral that you need to stay healthy. Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including making energy, connective tissues, and blood vessels. NIH fact sheet
Source of manganese · 0.5 mg per 100 g, 25% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.
1 more authorised claims
- Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Manganese is a mineral that your body needs to stay healthy. Your body uses manganese to make energy and protect your cells from damage. NIH fact sheet
Source of protein · 9.5 g per 100 g, 13% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Contains choline · 84 mg per 100 g, at least 82.5 mg per 100 g
- Choline contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism.
- Choline contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function.
Choline is a nutrient that is found in many foods. Your brain and nervous system need it to regulate memory, mood, muscle control, and other functions. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Bread, egg”, USDA FoodData Central.
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Strawberry
High in vitamin C · 59 mg per 100 g, 74% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
11 more authorised claims
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
- Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
Source of manganese · 0.4 mg per 100 g, 19% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.
1 more authorised claims
- Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Manganese is a mineral that your body needs to stay healthy. Your body uses manganese to make energy and protect your cells from damage. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Strawberries, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.
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Lemon
High in vitamin C · 53 mg per 100 g, 66% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
11 more authorised claims
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
- Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
Source of protein · 1.1 g per 100 g, 15% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Nutrients per 100 g of “Lemons, raw, without peel”, USDA FoodData Central.
Claims: EU Register of health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, © European Union, CC BY 4.0), shown only where the ingredient meets the claim's conditions (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). Nutrients: USDA FoodData Central (CC0). Facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (public domain).
Cook safely
Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.
- Hot oil. Never put water on an oil fire: turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid or a damp tea towel. Pat food dry before it goes into hot oil, and lower it in gently, away from you.
- Deep frying. Fill the pan no more than a third full of oil, and never leave it on the heat unattended. Heat the oil only to the temperature the recipe needs; if it smokes, turn the heat off.
- Oven and hot trays. Use dry oven gloves for trays and dishes: a hot tray looks just like a cold one. Open the oven door away from your face and let the first rush of heat out.
- Boiling water and steam. Turn pan handles inward, away from the edge of the hob. Lift lids away from you, and pour hot water away from your body: steam burns too.
- Grill and open flame. Keep sleeves, hair and tea towels away from the flame, and stay with the grill while it's lit. Barbecue outdoors only, never in a closed space.
- Hot sugar. Hot sugar sticks to skin and burns far hotter than boiling water: don't touch or taste it. Keep a bowl of cold water close, and keep children away while it cooks.
- Blending hot liquid. Let it cool a little first, fill the blender no more than a third, and hold the lid down with a folded towel. Start on the lowest speed. A stick blender in the pan is safer.
- Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.
Method
Chef Wood
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- For the tempura, place the vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat until a small cube of bread sizzles and turns golden when dropped into it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
- Place half of the flour, cornflour and salt into a bowl and gradually stir in enough ginger ale to make a batter. Don't over-mix - it doesn't matter if a few lumps remain.
- Dip the figs into the batter to coat completely. Place into the hot oil and deep fry until golden-brown and crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
- Place the remaining flour, cornflour and salt into another bowl and gradually stir in enough sparkling water to form a batter.
- Dip the strawberries into the batter to coat completely. Place into the hot oil and deep fry until golden-brown and crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
- Preheat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas 2.
- For the crème brûlée, place the milk into a saucepan, add the lemon verbena and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and allow to cool and infuse for a few minutes.
- Place the egg yolks into a large bowl with the sugar and whisk until combined.
- Pour the milk mixture into the bowl along with the cream and whisk thoroughly.
- Place four ramekins into a roasting tin and pass the cream mixture through a sieve into the ramekins. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for an hour, or until just set. Remove the ramekins from the tin and allow to cool.
- Once cooled, place the ramekins into the freezer until the custards are solid.
- Use a knife to loosen around the edges of the ramekins and carefully tip the custards out of their ramekins onto a board. Using a pastry cutter, cut out a circle from each custard to make cylinders slightly smaller in diameter than the ramekins. Place onto serving plates and leave to soften for five minutes.
- For the strawberry sauce, place the strawberries and icing sugar into a small food processor and blend until smooth. Pass the mixture through a sieve into a bowl to remove the seeds. Taste to check the sweetness and add more sugar if necessary.
- To serve, sprinkle the demerara sugar over the top of the crème brûlées and caramelise with a mini-blowtorch. Place two fig halves and three strawberries onto each plate and drizzle over the strawberry sauce.
Plating
Cookware for this recipe
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Deep fryer or deep pan
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Saucepan
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Roasting tin
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Baking dish
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Mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Blender
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Food processor
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Chef's knife
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Cutting board
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Wooden spoon
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Slotted spoon