Stir-Fry Beef With Chinese Green Beans
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dv1246009-56a143645f9b58b7d0bd98da.jpg)
This is the popular green bean dish that you’ll frequently find at Chinese restaurant buffets. The secret to making Chinese green beans (or long beans) is “dry-frying” the beans for about 7 to 10 minutes. This process makes them more tender.
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound green beans
- 3/4 pound flank steak
- 1 tablespoon garlic (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (chopped)
- 2 scallions (white parts only)
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil for stir-frying
- 4 to 6 dried chilis or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili paste (according to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
- Black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Steps to Make It
-
Wash the green beans, drain thoroughly, and trim the ends. Cut the green beans on the diagonal into slices approximately 2 inches long.
-
Cut the beef across the grain into very thin strips about 2 inches long.
-
Chop the garlic, ginger, and scallions. In a small bowl, combine the dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and sugar. Set aside.
-
Heat the wok over medium heat. When hot, add 2 tablespoons of oil, drizzling the oil down the sides of the wok.
-
When the oil is hot, add the green beans. Stir-fry for 7 to 10 minutes, until their skins pucker and turn brown and the green beans are tender without being mushy. Remove the beans from the wok.
-
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in the wok on high heat, drizzling the oil down the sides of the wok. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, ginger, and scallions. Stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the dried chilies or chili paste and stir-fry for a few more seconds until aromatic.
-
Add the beef strips to the wok. Sear briefly without moving, and then stir-fry until the beef changes color. Splash the beef with the rice wine while cooking.
-
Add the green beans and the sauce. Stir in the scallions. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding black pepper to taste, and salt if desired.
-
Remove from the heat and add sesame oil if using. Serve hot.
Recipe Tags: