Tempura Fried Squash Blossoms with Tomato Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup rice flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne
• 3 cups soda water
• 1 (8-ounce) log mild goat cheese, softened
• 5 sprigs thyme, leaves removed and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped chervil
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 16 squash blossoms
• Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
• Fried Basil Leaves, recipe follows
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• Pinch chili flakes
• 2 cups peeled, seeded, and diced tomatoes
• pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 4 thyme sprigs, leaves removed and chopped
• 4 basil leaves, chiffonade
• Vegetable oil or peanut oil
• 8 basil leaves