I was not very fond of green beans growing up, but I have always loved the Asian style spicy green beans [schezwan green beans]. I am sure everyone must have tried the spicy green beans at PF Chang’s and this recipe is quite similar to that. Now don’t laugh that I call the dish spicy and add only 1/2 teaspoon of red chili flakes! I have mentioned this so many times on my blog that in spite of being an Indian, I cannot eat very spicy food. So 1/2 teaspoon was just right enough for me to call these green beans spicy. You can definitely add more to make it spicier!
Ingredients
1 lb green beans trimmed and rinsed
1 tablespoon garlic minced
1 tablespoon ginger minced
1 tablespoon sesame oil [or vegetable oil]
2.5 tablespoon soy sauce
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
½ tablespoon white vinegar
? teaspoon white pepper
1.5 teaspoons granulated white sugar [i used vegan white sugar]
toasted sesame seeds to sprinkle
water to boil the beans
Method
* Bring water to boil in a pan. Once water is hot add the trimmed green beans and let it simmer for around 6 minutes till beans are tender.
* Take out the green beans, drain the water and set aside.
* In a small bowl mix together soy sauce, white vinegar, white pepper, red chili flakes and sugar. Set aside.
* Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a pan on medium-high heat.
* Once hot, add the minced ginger and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes till the garlic and ginger just start to turn golden brown in color.
* Add the green beans to pan and mix. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
* Now add the sauce which we had prepared earlier and mix.
* Cook the sauce for 2 minutes till it coats all the green beans well. Add some roasted sesame seeds and mix.
* Place the green beans on the serving plate and sprinkle some more sesame seeds on top.
* Serve spicy green beans with rice of your choice or noodles.