Green Bean and Mushroom Stir-Fry

Green Beans and Mushrooms

• 12 oz fresh green beans

• 2 tbsp grapeseed oil for cooking

• 5 oz shiitake mushrooms or mushrooms of choice

• 1 small bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

• 1/2 small onion, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp minced ginger

Stir-Fry Sauce

• 1 Tbsp soy sauce or to taste

• 1 Tbsp sesame oil

• 6 Tbsp water (more to thin out if needed)

• 2 - 4 Tbsp cane sugar or other sweetener, adjust according to desired sweetness

• 1/2 Tbsp Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar

• 1 ½ Tbsp cornstarch

• 1 Tbsp Shaoxing wine or other rice wine (optional but highly recommended)

• 1 Tbsp black bean garlic sauce or fermented black beans (optional but highly recommended)

• 1 Tbsp vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce plus more to taste if needed (optional but highly recommended)

• 1 tsp sriracha or other chili sauce, optional

Directions

1. Cut or snap off the top and bottom ends of each bean to remove strings or veins.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tbsp oil. Add the green beans. Leave untouched for 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned on 1 side. Move the beans around and repeat this step until the beans are blistered and slightly wrinkly, around 10 minutes total. Remove the beans from the pan and set aside.

3. Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil into the pan. Over high heat, sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger for 1-2 minutes until cooked and aromatic. Add in the bell pepper and sauté for 2 minutes. Add in the mushrooms. Sauté the mushrooms for 2 to 3 minutes until tender.

4. Meanwhile, mix the ingredients for the sauce and make sure none of the starch is stuck at the bottom.

5. Over medium heat, pour the sauce in the pan while mixing. Mix well to evenly coat the mushrooms.

6. Lower the heat as the sauce thickens. Add back the green beans and mix well to coat in the sauce. You can add 1 tbsp more water to thin out the sauce if you’d like. This can also help deglaze the pan. Mix well.

7. Taste the veggies and season with more veg oyster sauce if needed. If you're happy with how it is and the consistency of the sauce, turn off the heat. Enjoy this with some rice or noodles. Garnish with some sesame seeds if you’d like. Enjoy while hot!

Recipe and image adapted from: https://thefoodietakesflight.com/chinese-green-beans-and-mushroom-stir-fry/#wprm-recipe-container-6638