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Recipe for Shaanxi-Style Braised Green Beans

Shaanxi-style braised green beans is a dish that is extremely beginner-friendly. Because it uses the "braising" method, the ingredients can vary in quantity or even be omitted, making it almost impossible to fail.

Estimated Cooking Difficulty: ★★

Essential Ingredients and Tools

  • Green beans
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Spiral chili peppers (optional)
  • Salt
  • Light soy sauce
  • Five-spice powder
  • Oyster sauce
  • Green onion
  • Ginger
  • Garlic

Measurements

Note: Due to variations in individual ingredients, this recipe is for 2 servings.

  • Green beans: 300g for 2 servings
  • Potatoes: 1 piece for 2 servings
  • Tomatoes: 1 piece for 2 servings
  • Spiral chili peppers (optional): 2 pieces for 2 servings
  • Salt: 6g for 2 servings
  • Light soy sauce: 6ml for 2 servings
  • Five-spice powder: 3g for 2 servings
  • Oyster sauce: 6ml for 2 servings
  • Green onion: 3 rings
  • Ginger: 2g
  • Garlic: 2 cloves
  • Chopped cilantro (optional): to taste

Instructions

  • Slice the green onion into rings, mince the garlic, and julienne the ginger. Set aside.
  • Remove the strings from the green beans, cut them into 2-10cm segments, and set aside.
  • Peel the potatoes, cut them into 1cm³ cubes, and set aside.
  • Peel the tomatoes, cut them into 1cm³ cubes, and set aside.
  • Remove the seeds from the chili peppers, slice them into 0.15cm wide strips, and set aside.
  • Heat oil (10ml - 15ml) in a pot. Once the oil starts to smoke, add the green onion, ginger, and garlic. Stir-fry until fragrant.
  • Add the green beans and stir-fry until they change color (from dark green to bright green).
  • Add the potato cubes and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
  • Add hot water (just enough to cover the vegetables). Cover the pot and braise until the potatoes become soft (you can check with chopsticks).
  • Add the tomato cubes, salt, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, and chili peppers. Continue braising until the tomatoes break down into a sauce (stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom).
  • Add the chopped cilantro and serve.

Additional Notes

  • After adding the tomatoes and continuing to braise, stir occasionally to prevent the bottom from burning.

If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for improvement while following this guide, please submit an Issue or Pull request.