Dry-Fried String Beans

Dry-Fried String Beans 乾煸四季豆 with shiitake mushrooms

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serving Size: 3 - 4

Ingredients:

¾ lb of green beans

3 large fresh shiitake mushrooms sliced

3 scallions chopped, white parts only

1 tsp of minced ginger

1 tbsp of minced garlic

2 heaping tbsp of Tianjin preserved vegetables

½ cup of vegetable oil

6 dried red chilies

Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

1 ½ tsp of Chinese rice wine

1 ½ tsp of chili bean sauce

½ tsp of sesame oil

Prep Work:

1. Start with the sauce: In a small mixing bowl, stir together the Chinese rice wine, chili bean sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.

2. Move on to the string beans: Snip off the ends and cut beans into 3” lengths. Make sure the string beans are dry before you fry. Set aside.

3. Thick slice 3 large fresh shiitake mushrooms.

4. Prep the aromatics: Chop 3 scallions. And mince enough ginger and garlic for 1 tsp and 1 tbsp respectively.

Directions:

1. Heat a wok over high heat. When it starts smoking, carefully add the vegetable oil.

2. Add string beans and stir-fry for 5 minutes. Keep the pan moving. When you see the outside of the string beans start to blister and wrinkle, turn off the heat. Remove the strings beans, and set aside to drain.

3. Remove all but 1 tbsp of oil from the wok and reheat. Add the scallions, ginger and garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds or until fragrant.

4. Add mushrooms and stir-fry for 1 minute.

5. Add the dried red chilies and preserved vegetables. Continue stir-frying.

6. When the mushrooms start to brown, pour in the sauce. Keep the pan moving so nothing burns.

7. Return the string beans and stir-fry for another minute. Salt and pepper to taste.

Notes:

If you like your string beans a bit spicier, add ½ tsp of crushed Sichuan peppercorn or add more dried red chilies.

Salt and pepper to your taste preference. The preserved vegetables are salty so don’t be too hasty with the salt.

Make sure you heat up enough oil to cover the string beans during the initial fry, this will help ensure equal cooking time.