Side Dishes > Vegetables > Asian

Sesame-Ginger Green Beans Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste

Special equipment needed:
- Large pot
- Strainer
- Large skillet or wok
- Tongs

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until they are bright green and tender-crisp.

2. Drain the green beans in a strainer and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set them aside.

3. In a large skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the grated ginger and minced garlic and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

4. Add the cooked green beans to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until they are coated in the ginger-garlic mixture.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Pour the mixture over the green beans and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the green beans are fully coated.

6. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the green beans and toss them to distribute evenly.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.


- Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
Temperature:
- Medium-high heat
Serving size:
- 4 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use frozen green beans instead of fresh ones.
- Instead of sesame oil, you can use vegetable oil or olive oil.
- If you don't have fresh ginger, you can use 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
- You can use maple syrup instead of honey.
- If you don't have rice vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

Variations:
- You can add sliced mushrooms, sliced bell peppers, or sliced onions to the skillet along with the green beans.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- You can use balsamic vinegar instead of rice vinegar for a different flavor.

Tips and tricks:
- To save time, you can blanch the green beans ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to stir-fry them.
- Make sure to stir-fry the green beans over high heat to prevent them from getting mushy.
- You can toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes before sprinkling them over the green beans for extra flavor.

Storage instructions:
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- To reheat, simply microwave the green beans for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the green beans in a shallow bowl or on a platter.
- Garnish with additional sesame seeds and chopped scallions.

Pairings:
- Sesame-ginger green beans pair well with grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu.

Suggested side dishes:
- Serve the green beans with steamed rice or quinoa.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the green beans are too salty, you can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance out the flavors.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure to wash the green beans thoroughly before cooking them.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and discard any that have been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Food history:
- Green beans are a popular vegetable in many cuisines around the world, and they are often stir-fried or sautéed with various seasonings and sauces.

Flavor profiles:
- Sesame-ginger green beans have a savory, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor with a hint of spice from the ginger and garlic.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve the green beans as a side dish for a family dinner or a potluck party.

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Taste: Savory, Tangy, Spicy, Nutty, Umami