🥢 Asian-Style Green Beans 🥦
What is it?
Asian-Style Green Beans is a delightful and flavorful dish featuring green beans that are stir-fried with a combination of Asian ingredients. It’s a popular side dish in many Asian cuisines, known for its vibrant colors and crispy texture. The dish combines the freshness of green beans with the umami of soy sauce, garlic, and other seasonings.
History:
The history of Asian-Style Green Beans is deeply rooted in Asian cuisine, which boasts a rich culinary tradition spanning thousands of years. Green beans have been cultivated in Asia for centuries, and various regional cooking styles have influenced this dish. While specific records of this dish’s origin are scarce, stir-frying green beans with savory sauces is a longstanding practice in many Asian cultures, making it a timeless classic.
Components:
- Green Beans: The star ingredient, providing a crisp, fresh, and slightly sweet taste.
- Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and richness to the dish.
- Garlic: For a savory and aromatic flavor.
- Ginger: Often used for an added layer of warmth and depth.
- Sesame Oil: Imparts a nutty, toasted flavor.
- Chili Paste or Red Pepper Flakes: Optional for heat and spice.
- Sesame Seeds: A garnish that adds texture and flavor.
Steps to Prepare:
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious Asian-Style Green Beans:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon chili paste (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooking oil for stir-frying
Instructions:
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Blanch the Green Beans: Bring a pot of water to boil and add the green beans. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then drain and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This helps maintain their bright green color and crispness.
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Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger, and chili paste. Adjust the chili paste according to your spice preference.
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Stir-Fry: Heat a wok or a large pan over high heat. Add a bit of cooking oil and the blanched green beans. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they begin to blister and turn slightly golden.
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Sauce It Up: Pour the sauce mixture over the green beans and stir-fry for another 2 minutes, ensuring even distribution of the sauce.
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Garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the green beans and toss them lightly to incorporate the seeds.
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Serve: Transfer the Asian-Style Green Beans to a serving dish and enjoy!
Preparation Time:
The entire process, from start to finish, typically takes around 20-25 minutes. It’s a quick and easy dish, perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a side for a larger Asian-themed meal.
Enjoy your Asian-Style Green Beans – a dish that perfectly balances the freshness of green beans with the bold flavors of Asian cuisine! 🥦🍲🥢
Certainly! Here’s some nutritional information and health considerations for Asian-Style Green Beans:
Nutrition Facts (per serving, approximately 1 cup):
- Calories: Approximately 60-80 calories
- Protein: About 2-3 grams
- Carbohydrates: Around 7-10 grams
- Dietary Fiber: Roughly 3-4 grams
- Fat: 3-4 grams
- Sodium: About 350-400 milligrams (mainly from soy sauce)
- Vitamins and Minerals: Asian-Style Green Beans are a good source of vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin K, and minerals like manganese.
Health Information:
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Low in Calories: Asian-Style Green Beans are relatively low in calories, making them a healthy option for those watching their calorie intake.
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High in Fiber: Green beans are rich in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health, helps maintain a feeling of fullness, and can contribute to better weight management.
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Vitamins and Minerals: Green beans are a good source of vitamin C, which is important for the immune system, as well as vitamin K for bone health. They also contain essential minerals like manganese.
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Low in Saturated Fat: The dish is typically low in saturated fat, which is heart-healthy.
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Soy Sauce Considerations: While soy sauce adds flavor, it can be relatively high in sodium. If you’re on a low-sodium diet, you may want to use reduced-sodium soy sauce or adjust the amount to your dietary needs.
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Customization: You can make the dish even healthier by adjusting the amount of oil used for stir-frying and the quantity of sauce. For a lower-sodium version, you can reduce the soy sauce content.
Remember that the nutritional content can vary slightly based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, so it’s a good idea to check product labels and calculate the precise values if needed. Overall, Asian-Style Green Beans are a nutritious and flavorful side dish, especially when part of a well-balanced meal.
