Ingredients

• 12 zucchini blossoms, ideally, baby zucchini still attached and fanned out
• 2 minced shallots
• 2 cups roughly chopped shiitakes
• 2 cups roughly chopped cremini mushrooms
• 1/2 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons cold butter, chopped
• 1 tablespoon truffle oil
• 1 cup edamame
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups rice flour
• 1 quart cold soda water
• Canola oil to cook

Instructions

1. In a hot saute pan coated with oil, add the shallots and mushrooms and stir. Season and cook soft, about 5 minutes. Drain the mix in a strainer, place on plate and put in the refrigerator. When the mix is cold, squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Check for seasoning and transfer to a food processor and add thyme, egg, butter and truffle oil. Pulse a few times to break the mushrooms and butter into small pieces-do not puree! Transfer to a bowl and fold in edamame and chives. Using a pastry bag or ziploc with end cut off, fill blossoms full. Make tempura batter by whisking the rice flour with the soda water until a pancake batter consistency is achieved. Dip the blossoms in the batter and deep fry at 350 degrees until golden brown and delicious, about 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and serve immediately on a decorative platter.