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Spicy Stir-Fried Chinese Long Beans with Peanuts

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Spicy Stir-Fried Chinese Long Beans with PeanutsRomulo Yanes

Pa-O Long Beans

Finding long beans is worth the effort — the high heat of the wok is just too much for green beans, which aren't as hearty.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 min

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1

1/2 lb Chinese long beans*

1

/2 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts (2 1/2 oz; not cocktail peanuts)

2

teaspoons soy sauce

2 to 3

small fresh Thai chiles** (to taste), finely chopped

1

/2 teaspoon salt

1

1/2 tablespoons peanut oil

1

tablespoon chopped garlic

1

large shallot, halved lengthwise, then very thinly sliced crosswise (1/2 cup)

2

tablespoons fresh lime juice

Garnish: lime wedges

Special Equipment

a well-seasoned 14-inch flat-bottomed wok

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook untrimmed beans in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer with tongs to a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, then drain in a colander and pat dry with paper towels. Trim beans and cut crosswise into 3/4-inch pieces.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, pulse peanuts in a food processor until about half of peanuts are finely ground and remainder are in very large pieces (do not grind to a paste).

    Step 3

    Stir together soy sauce, chiles, and salt in a small bowl.

    Step 4

    Heat wok over high heat until a bead of water dropped onto cooking surface evaporates immediately. Add oil, swirling to coat wok, then add garlic and stir-fry until garlic begins to turn pale golden, about 5 seconds. Add peanuts, and stir-fry until all of mixture is golden, about 30 seconds. Add beans, and stir-fry until hot and well coated, about 2 minutes. Remove wok from heat, then stir in soy sauce mixture and shallot, stirring until shallot has wilted. Drizzle in lime juice and season with salt, then transfer to a bowl. Serve warm or at room temperature.

  2. Step 5

    *Available at Asian markets.

    Step 6

    **Available at kalustyans.com.