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Chinese Green Beans Recipe

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Chinese Green Beans are crisp-tender, lightly blistered green beans coated in a savory garlic, soy, and sesame sauce with a touch of sweetness. This quick vegetable side dish comes together in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • Fresh green beans
  • Neutral cooking oil
  • Garlic
  • Low-sodium soy sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Brown sugar or honey
  • Rice vinegar
  • Fresh ginger, optional
  • Cornstarch
  • Water
  • Sesame seeds, optional
  • Sliced green onions, optional

Instructions

  1. Wash and thoroughly dry the green beans, then trim the ends. Keeping the beans dry helps them blister rather than steam.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar or honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and water until smooth.
  3. Heat the neutral cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high to high heat.
  4. Add the green beans in an even layer and cook for several minutes, stirring or tossing occasionally, until crisp-tender with lightly blistered spots.
  5. Lower the heat slightly and add the minced garlic and fresh ginger, if using. Stir briefly until fragrant without allowing the garlic to burn.
  6. Stir the prepared sauce again, then pour it over the green beans.
  7. Toss continuously as the sauce bubbles and thickens, cooking just long enough for the sauce to evenly coat the beans.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
  9. Serve immediately while hot and crisp-tender.

Notes

  • Dry the green beans thoroughly before cooking to encourage blistering and prevent excess steaming.
  • Avoid overcrowding the skillet or wok so the beans cook evenly and retain their texture.
  • For additional heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or chili sauce to the sauce mixture.
  • For stronger garlic flavor, increase the fresh garlic and add it near the end of cooking to prevent burning.
  • Sliced mushrooms can be sautéed until browned and returned to the skillet when the sauce is added.
  • For a heartier variation, add fully cooked ground chicken to the green beans and sauce.
  • For stronger sesame flavor, add a little additional sesame oil after cooking and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
  • Frozen green beans can be substituted, but they will generally have a softer texture. Thaw and dry them thoroughly before cooking.
  • Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
  • For the best reheated texture, warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly heated.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/chinese-green-beans-recipe/