Name: Spicy Garlic Green Beans recipe
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed: Opt for bright green, firm green beans. You can use haricot verts (French green beans) for a more delicate texture, or standard green beans. Ensure they are properly trimmed by snapping or cutting off the stem end.; 4 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic is crucial for that robust, pungent flavor. Mince it finely to ensure it infuses the oil and green beans evenly. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove!; 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil: Choose a good quality oil that can withstand medium-high heat. Olive oil provides a classic flavor, while avocado oil is a neutral option with a higher smoke point.; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste): Red pepper flakes are the source of the “spicy” in this recipe. Adjust the amount to your preference. For a milder dish, start with ½ teaspoon and taste as you go. For extra heat, use 1.5 to 2 teaspoons.; 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free): Soy sauce adds a savory umami depth to the dish. If you need a gluten-free option, use tamari, which is typically gluten-free. Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control the saltiness.; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Rice vinegar provides a subtle tanginess that balances the richness of the garlic and soy sauce. Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used as substitutes in a pinch.; 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, but highly recommended): Sesame oil adds a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor that complements the Asian-inspired profile of this dish. A little goes a long way, so just a teaspoon is perfect.; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste: Seasoning is essential. Taste the green beans at the end and adjust salt and pepper as needed to enhance all the flavors.; Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional): These garnishes add visual appeal and a final touch of flavor and texture. Toasted sesame seeds provide a nutty crunch, and green onions offer a fresh, mild oniony bite.

Ingredients

Scale

- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed: Opt for bright green, firm green beans. You can use haricot verts (French green beans) for a more delicate texture, or standard green beans. Ensure they are properly trimmed by snapping or cutting off the stem end.

- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic is crucial for that robust, pungent flavor. Mince it finely to ensure it infuses the oil and green beans evenly. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add an extra clove!

- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil: Choose a good quality oil that can withstand medium-high heat. Olive oil provides a classic flavor, while avocado oil is a neutral option with a higher smoke point.

- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste): Red pepper flakes are the source of the “spicy” in this recipe. Adjust the amount to your preference. For a milder dish, start with ½ teaspoon and taste as you go. For extra heat, use 1.5 to 2 teaspoons.

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free): Soy sauce adds a savory umami depth to the dish. If you need a gluten-free option, use tamari, which is typically gluten-free. Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control the saltiness.

- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Rice vinegar provides a subtle tanginess that balances the richness of the garlic and soy sauce. Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used as substitutes in a pinch.

- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, but highly recommended): Sesame oil adds a wonderful nutty aroma and flavor that complements the Asian-inspired profile of this dish. A little goes a long way, so just a teaspoon is perfect.

- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste: Seasoning is essential. Taste the green beans at the end and adjust salt and pepper as needed to enhance all the flavors.

- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional): These garnishes add visual appeal and a final touch of flavor and texture. Toasted sesame seeds provide a nutty crunch, and green onions offer a fresh, mild oniony bite.

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans

1. Wash the green beans: Rinse the green beans thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

1. Trim the ends: Snap or cut off the stem end of each green bean. You can also trim the pointy tip end if you prefer, although this is mostly for aesthetic purposes.

1. Blanch (Optional, but Recommended for Crisp-Tenderness): Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the trimmed green beans and blanch for 2-3 minutes, until they turn bright green and are slightly tender-crisp. Immediately transfer the blanched green beans to an ice bath (a bowl of cold water with ice cubes) to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color and crisp texture. Drain the green beans well and set aside. Blanching is optional but highly recommended as it helps achieve that perfect balance of tenderness and crispness and ensures the green beans retain their bright green color when stir-fried. If skipping blanching, ensure you don’t overcook them in the pan.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic and Chili Flakes

1. Heat the oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil or avocado oil over medium-high heat. Make sure the pan is hot before adding the garlic to prevent it from steaming instead of sautéing.

1. Sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes: Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the pan. Sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter. Keep stirring constantly to prevent burning. The aroma will be incredibly enticing!

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Green Beans

1. Add the green beans: Add the blanched and drained green beans (or unblanched if you skipped that step) to the skillet with the sautéed garlic and chili flakes.

1. Stir-fry: Stir-fry the green beans over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes, tossing them frequently to ensure they are evenly coated with the garlic and chili-infused oil and cook evenly. If you skipped blanching, cook them a bit longer, around 5-7 minutes, until they are crisp-tender and slightly softened, but still retain a bit of bite. Avoid overcooking, as you want them to remain slightly crisp.

Step 4: Add Sauce and Finish

1. Add soy sauce and rice vinegar: Pour the soy sauce (or tamari) and rice vinegar over the green beans.

1. Toss to coat: Toss everything together well to ensure the green beans are evenly coated with the sauce.

1. Stir-fry briefly: Continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly reduce and glaze the green beans.

1. Stir in sesame oil (optional): If using sesame oil, drizzle it over the green beans and toss to combine. This adds a wonderful layer of nutty aroma and flavor.

Step 5: Season and Serve

1. Taste and season: Taste the green beans and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Remember that soy sauce is already salty, so you may not need much additional salt.

1. Garnish (optional): Transfer the Spicy Garlic Green Beans to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.

1. Serve immediately: Serve hot and enjoy! These green beans are best enjoyed immediately while they are still crisp-tender and flavorful.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 80-120
Sugar: 2-3 grams
Sodium: 200-400 mg
Fat: 5-8 grams
Saturated Fat: 0.5-1 gram
Unsaturated Fat: 4-7 grams
Carbohydrates: 8-12 grams
Fiber: 3-4 grams
Protein: 2-3 grams