Chinese Restaurant-Style Green Beans

Description: Delicious and spicy green beans, just like your favorite Chinese restaurant. Be careful with the sesame oil, or it can overpower your beans. Prep time includes steaming the beans.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh green beans
• vegetable oil cooking spray or 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon gingerroot, peeled, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

1. Wash beans, trim ends and remove strings.
2. Arrange beans in a vegetable steamer (or a colander that will sit nicely in saucepan), and place over boiling water.
3. Cover and steam 5 minutes.
4. Drain and plunge into cold water, drain again.
5. Coat a large nonstick skillet (or wok) with cooking spray or peanut oil and heat until hot.
6. Add gingerroot and garlic and saute 30 secs.
7. Add beans, saute 5 minutes.
8. Combine 2 tablespoons water and remaining 5 ingredients.
9. Stir well.
10. Add to beans, cook 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.