Fish and Shellfish Recipes - Skate Wings with Wasabi Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 x 250g/9oz skate wings

• 6rg/2 1/2oz/9 tbsp corn flour (cornstarch)

• 65g/2 1/2oz/9 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour

• 5 ml/1 tsp salt

• 5ml/1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder

• 15ml/1 tbsp sesame seeds

• 200m/l7fl oz/scant 1 cup ice-cold soda water (club soda)

• sunflower oil, for frying

For the mayonnaise:

• 200ml/7fl oz/scant 1 cup mayonnaise

• 15ml/1 tbsp light soy sauce

• finely grated rind and juice of 1 lime

• 5ml/1 tsp wasabi

• 15ml/1 tbsp finely chopped spring onion (scallion)

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Using kitchen scissors, trim away the frill from the edges of the skate wings and discard. Set the fish aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl combine the corn flour, plain flour, salt, five-spice powder and sesame seeds. Gradually pour in the soda water and stir to mix. (It will be quite lumpy.)

3. Heat the oil for deep-frying. One at a time, dip the skate wings in the batter; then lower them carefully into the hot oil and deep-fry for 4-5 minutes, until the skate is fully cooked and crispy. Drain on kitchen paper. Set aside and keep warm.

4. Meanwhile, mix together all the mayonnaise ingredients and divide among four small bowls. Serve immediately with the skate wings.

Note: Whole skate wings dipped in a tempura batter and deep-fried until crisp and golden look stunning.

Cook's Tip: Look for packets of tempura batter mix at health food shops and Asian markets. It doesn't take long to make your own  batter, but sometimes seconds count.