Chinese Garlic Green Beans

Method5 steps · about 22 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Thoroughly pat all the trimmed 1 lb green beans dry with paper towels before frying, so they brown well and do not splash the hot oil.

   Uses 1 lb green beans, tough ends removed

2. 2

   Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp of the peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium. Add all the dry beans from step 1, toss to coat and spread with minimal overlap. Sprinkle with some of the measured ½ tsp salt, keeping the remainder for step 4; the split is as desired. Leave undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until the underside begins to blister and brown. Turn occasionally and transfer browned, tender beans to a plate as they finish. Continue until all the beans are blistered and tender, about 6–8 minutes in total for a single-pan batch. Keep the actual remaining pan oil for step 3.

   Blister and tenderize the beans · 8 minUses Initial 3 tbsp peanut oil from the 3–4 tbsp range · All the dry green beans from step 1 · Some of the measured ½ tsp salt; reserve the remainder

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Use the same pan and its remaining frying oil from step 2. Add the additional 1 tbsp peanut oil only if the pan looks dry. Add all 6 minced garlic cloves and the minced thumb-size ginger (1) piece; stir over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant without burning. Return all the cooked beans from step 2 and toss briefly with the aromatics.

   Uses Actual residual frying oil from step 2 · Conditional additional 1 tbsp peanut oil ONLY if the pan is dry · 6 garlic cloves, minced · 1 thumb-size piece ginger, minced · All the cooked beans from step 2

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Pour the 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine and 1 tsp soy sauce over all the beans and aromatics from step 3. Sprinkle with the reserved remainder of the same measured ½ tsp salt and stir immediately. Taste and add a little separate extra salt or soy sauce only if needed; neither adjustment has a specified amount.

   Uses All the beans and aromatics from step 3 · 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine · 1 tsp soy sauce · Reserved remainder of the same ½ tsp salt · Additional salt to adjust seasoning, only if needed; amount as desired · Additional soy sauce to adjust seasoning, only if needed; amount as desired

   
5. 5

   Step 5: Transfer all the seasoned green beans from step 4 to a serving plate. Add the optional chili flakes if using and serve hot as 4 side portions, or with ready cooked rice as a light meal.

   Uses All the seasoned beans from step 4 · Chinese chili flakes, as desired for garnish (optional) · Ready cooked rice, as desired for serving (optional)