Stir-Fried Green Beans with Ground Beef
This vibrant and savory stir-fry blends tender green beans with flavorful ground beef and a medley of aromatic spices. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special family meal, this dish brings together a harmonious balance of heat, sweetness, and umami. Follow the steps below to create this delicious recipe that is sure to please.
Ingredients:
- 200 grams of green beans (trimmed, with ends removed)
- 4 tablespoons ground beef (adjust to taste)
- 3 beef meatballs
- 5 bird’s eye chilies (adjust to taste)
- 6 curly red chilies
- 3 cloves garlic
- 5 shallots
- 2 candlenuts
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- Sweet soy sauce (to taste)
- Salt, sugar, and pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup water
Instructions:
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Prepare the Green Beans: Begin by washing the green beans thoroughly. Trim off the ends and cut them into bite-sized pieces if desired.
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Sauté the Aromatics: In a pan over medium heat, add a small amount of oil. Sauté the bird’s eye chilies, curly red chilies, and garlic until they become fragrant and slightly softened.
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Grind the Spices: Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, grind the sautéed chilies, candlenuts, and garlic into a smooth paste.
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Cook the Shallots: Thinly slice the shallots. In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed, and sauté the sliced shallots until they turn golden and aromatic.
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Add the Spice Paste: Stir the ground spice paste into the pan with the shallots, cooking briefly to allow the flavors to meld.
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Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up and stirring until it changes color. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned.
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Incorporate the Seasonings: Pour in the oyster sauce and stir to combine with the beef and spices.
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Combine Ingredients: Add the meatballs, cut into halves or quarters if desired. Mix well with the beef and spice mixture.
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Add the Green Beans: Toss in the green beans and stir to coat them with the spice mixture. Add sweet soy sauce, salt, sugar, and pepper to taste.
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Simmer: Pour in one cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the green beans are tender but still crisp, and the sauce has reduced slightly.
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Final Adjustments: Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, sugar, or pepper to suit your preferences.
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Serve: Once the green beans are cooked to your liking and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Serve hot, either on its own or alongside steamed rice.
Enjoy this delightful stir-fry as a satisfying meal that brings together vibrant flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
