Spicy Szechuan Green Beans

This dish is a quick and easy way to get your daily dose of vegetables. The green beans are cooked in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes. The result is a dish that is both delicious and healthy.

Szechuan cuisine is known for its bold flavors and use of chili peppers. This dish is a take on the classic Szechuan dish of spicy green beans. I've simplified the recipe to make it more accessible to home cooks, but I've kept the essential flavors of the original dish.

Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes

Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the green beans and cook until tender, about 5 minutes more.
4. Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes.
5. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 1 minute more.
6. Serve immediately.

Why It Works

• The combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes creates a flavorful sauce that is both salty and sweet.
• The green beans are cooked quickly so that they retain their crisp texture.
• The dish is finished with a drizzle of sesame oil, which adds a nutty flavor and a touch of shine.