Beer Battered Asparagus with Lemon Cilantro Dipping Sauce

I simply love asparagus and am in heaven right now because it's asparagus season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 tsp. salt
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• 1 tsp. pepper and zest of 1 large lemon (set aside 1 tsp. for sauce)
• 1 cup beer
• 1 lb. asparagus, trimmed
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Lemon Cilantro Dipping Sauce

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice (reserved from before)
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp. fresh cilantro very finely chopped
• pinch of salt.

Directions:

Prepare the dipping sauce. Stir together all ingredients in a small bowl. Chill covered for about an hour for the ingredients to infuse.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or paper towels. Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan or deep fryer until it reaches 375 degrees F.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.

Whisk together panko, salt, pepper, and lemon zest in a bowl until combined. Add beer and whisk ingredients until smooth.

Dip asparagus in batter to coat. Cooking in batches, gently place battered asparagus in to the oil and gently stir with a fork to keep asparagus from sticking together. Cook until golden.

Transfer to the baking sheet and place in oven to keep warm.

By Deeli from Richland, WA