Chinese Restaurant Green Beans ( Szechuan Green Beans )

Chinese Restaurant Green Beans ( Szechuan Green Beans )

I just LOVE those Green Beans that are so often served at Chinese Restaurants.  A huge plate of those Green Beans over Rice makes a great dinner!

They seem to be cooked in a lot of oil, and they are often seared & have charred bits here and there on the outside. I braise mine (steam them in a tiny bit of water, then stir-fry with sauce), which reduces the fat content.

This is my home version, adapted from Simply Vegan . It's a LOT cheaper to make these at home than to order them in a restaurant. They're quite easy to make - and you can avoid the excessive oil in Chinese Restaurant food - as well as the temptation to load up on Fried Eggrolls & other appetizers & desserts.

Szechuan Green Beans
In a large Skillet or pot, put
2 Pounds Frozen Fancy Green Beans ( I find these beauties at Aldi for $1.49/pound, year round : )
1 cup water
Cover with lid, and cook on medium high to high till desired tenderness (usually about 10 minutes or so) stirring occasionally.*
When the Beans are done to suit you, drain any remaining water, and add sauce
2 Tablespoons Garlic (I use the jarred kind)
1 Tablespoon  fresh ginger (I use the jarred kind)
1 Tablespoon Dark Sesame Oil
5 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Sugar
Toss to coat and warm.
If desired, for an authentic touch, you can top these with chopped 
Pickled Cabbage,
which can be purchased at a Chinese Grocery. Chinese Pickled Cabbage is particularly tasty - I would find it easy to polish off a can before it even touched the Green Beans!
These are best served over a Short Grain Rice, such as Calrose - but whichever rice is your favorite will be great.

*Alternately, you can simply toss the frozen beans in a hot skillet, stirring them every few minutes- till desired doneness. No oil, no water : ) This can give them the seared appearance you're used to at restaurants, if you like. But, it's a little more time consuming, and may be hard on some nonstick skillets.

If you're feeling super-rushed (or lazy), you can steam the green beans in the microwave, and simply toss them with the sauce ; )

Tip for Dining with Omnivores: Some Beef or Pork goes well with this meal - especially if you can prepare it Chinese-style.  I sometimes serve this with Teriyaki Beef Strips over Rice.

This is being shared on Healthy Vegan Fridays and Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Everyday Entrees for Around $5., Mums Make Lists
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