Stir-fried String Beans

Ingredients:

1 pound (450 grams) fresh string beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil, such as canola or peanut oil
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
1 tablespoon (12 grams) minced ginger
1 teaspoon (1.5 grams) red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicier dish)
1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
1 teaspoon (5 grams) sugar
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the string beans: Trim the ends of the string beans and cut them into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces. Set aside.
2. Heat the oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering.
3. Stir-fry the string beans: Add the string beans to the hot oil and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until they are blistered and slightly charred. Do not overcrowd the pan; work in batches if necessary.
4. Add aromatics: Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan and stir-fry for 30 seconds more, until fragrant.
5. Season and finish: Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, and salt. Continue to stir-fry for another minute, or until the sauce is thickened and the string beans are tender-crisp.
6. Serve immediately: Serve the Stir-fried String Beans hot over steamed rice or with your favorite protein.

Tips:

For a more flavorful dish, marinate the string beans in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil for 30 minutes before stir-frying.
You can also add other vegetables to this dish, such as thinly sliced bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
If you don’t have a wok, you can use a large skillet. Just make sure to use high heat and stir-fry the string beans constantly to prevent them from sticking.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired level of spiciness.
Garnish with chopped scallions or sesame seeds for extra flavor.

Enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make Stir-fried String Beans recipe!