Beer-Battered Asparagus

Crispy beer-battered asparagus spears served with a zesty lemon-mayonnaise dipping sauce. This restaurant-style appetizer features fresh asparagus coated in a light and crispy beer batter, fried until golden brown.

4 servings
50 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup lager
  • 4 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 lb asparagus
  • 1 piece deep-fat thermometer

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, zest, and pepper in a small bowl. Chill, covered, until ready to use.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 200°F.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Whisk together flour, salt, zest, and pepper in a bowl until combined, then add beer, whisking until smooth.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Heat 3 inches oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderately high heat until it registers 375°F on thermometer.

    10 min

  5. 5.

    Submerge asparagus spears in batter to coat. Working in batches of 10, drag 1 at a time gently against rim to remove excess batter, then transfer to oil and fry, stirring gently to keep asparagus from sticking together, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer as fried with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Return oil to 375°F between batches. Serve with lemon dipping sauce.

    20 min