Stir-Fried Mixed String Beans
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Blue Lake beans, trimmed
1 cup Dragon Tongue beans, trimmed
1 cup Yellow Wax beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS:
Wash and trim the ends of all the beans. If the beans are long, you can cut them in half.
Blanch the Beans: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the beans and blanch them for 2-3 minutes until they are bright and slightly tender. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the sliced bell pepper and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
Add the blanched beans to the skillet and stir fry for another 3-4 minutes, until they are tender-crisp.
Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sesame oil. Stir well to coat all the beans.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer the stir-fried beans to a serving dish. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot.