Sides and Salads Recipes - Green Beans with Ginger Recipe

Ingredients

• 450g/1lb/3 cups green beans

• 15ml/1 tbsp olive oil

• 5ml/1 tsp sesame oil

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2.5cml/1 in piece fresh root ginger, finely chopped

• 30ml/2 tbsp dark soy sauce

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Steam the beans over a pan of boiling salted water; or in an electric steamer, for 4 minutes or until just tender.

2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and sesame oil in a heavy pan. Add the crushed garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in the ginger and soy sauce and cook. stirring constantly, for a further 2-3 minutes until the liquid has reduced, then pour this mixture over the warm beans.

4. Leave for a few minutes to allow all the flavors to mingle, then toss the beans several times before tipping into a bowl.

This is a simple and delicious way of enlivening green beans. The dish can be served hot or cold and, accompanied by an omelets and some crusty bread. makes a perfect light lunch or supper.

Variation: Substitute other green beans, if you wish. Runner beans and lather flat varieties should be cut diagonally into thick slices before steaming.

Cook's Tip: Sesame oil has a delicious. nutty taste and is valued more for its flavor than as a cooking medium. It burns easily. so if you do use it for frying. mix it with other more durable oils such as the olive oil used in this recipe.