The other day I saw this recipe in a show in television. I am not sure if this recipe is from China, as they said that in the show. But I found it an interesting recipe of green beans, so I prepared it and it turned out quite tasty. Though I haven’t really followed all that was shown in the show, here is my version of the recipe.

Ingredients:

500gms of green beans; washed, ends trimmed and strings removed,

1 1/2 inch stick ginger; minced,

2 cloves of garlic; minced,

1 tbsp dark soy sauce (if you have light soy sauce use 1 1/2 tbsps),

1 tsp cornstarch,

1/2 tsp bown sugar,

1/2 tsp sesame oil,

A pinch of red chilli flakes,

A pinch of salt,

Oil for deep frying.

Method:

Blanch the beans for 5 minutes and drain. Pat them dry. Heat oil in a wok for deep frying on medium flame. Add the beans in batches and fry them until tender and light brown. Drain on paper towels. In a bowl combine cornstarch with some water to form a paste, add soy sauce, brown sugar, salt, pepper and mix well.

In another wok add sesame oil. When hot add minced ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add the beans to it and give it a stir. Add the sauce mixture and stir well. Stir fry for a minute or until mixture thickens and serve.

Ingredients:
A handful of French beans; tips chopped, threads removed, washed and dried well,
1 tsp white sesame seeds,
Soy Sauce as per taste,
Salt and sugar to taste,
Olive oil for frying.

Method:
Heat oil in a wok for deep frying. Drop in the beans in batches and fry till they change their color and turn slightly crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. When all beans are ready, remove excess oil from the wok and let a tbsp of oil be in it. Lower the flame and add sesame seeds to it. When they start changing their color add some soy sauce, sugar and salt to it and stir well. When this sauce boils add the fried French beans to it. Stir well to coat them with the sauce. Remove from flame. Serve as a side dish.

Ingredients:
2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts; chopped into chunks,
1 egg,
1/4 cup cornstarch,
1 tsp sherry or dry white wine,
Vegetable oil for frying.

For the sauce-
15-20 cloves of garlic; peeled and minced,
1-2 sprigs of scallions (green onions); chopped diagonally into thin slices,
1 tbsp oyster sauce,
1 tbsp rice vinegar,
1 tbsp dark soy sauce,
1 tbsp sesame oil,
1 tsp cornstarch,
A pinch of salt and sugar,
A dash of chilli sauce (if you like),
Water as required.

Method:
In a bowl, beat the egg, stir in cornstarch and sherry and beat until an even mixture is formed. Heat oil in a wok on medium flame. When hot, dip each chicken chunk into the egg mixture and fry in hot oil (on low-medium flame) till chicken is cooked. Prepare all the chicken chunks similarly.
Meanwhile combine all the ingredients of sauce. When chicken chunks are ready, transfer all of them into a bowl and place the same wok on flame. Add little vegetable oil to it and add the minced garlic. Roast garlic on low flame till it is fragrant and then again transfer all the chicken chunks to the wok. Give it a stir and slowly stir in the sauce into the wok. Keep stirring on low flame till the mixture thickens. Turn off the flame, transfer to a serving dish and serve with steamed noodles or rice.

Serving suggestion:
This recipe could be served as a main course since it is saucy. But you can serve it as an appetizer if you cook till it is dry.

Ingredients:
1 cup tofu cubes,
1 tbsp cornflour,
3-4 garlic cloves; minced,
2 fresh/dry red chillies; thinly sliced,
1/2 cup baby onions; peeled and halved,
1 cup green and red bell pepper; cut into 1″ cubes,
Salt, sugar and pepper to taste,
1 tbsp sesame seed oil,
Oil for frying.

For the sauce-
1 tbsp soy sauce,
1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce,
1 tbsp tomato sauce,
1 tbsp honey,
1 tbsp vinegar.

Method:
Pat dry the tofu, sprinkle cornflour, salt and pepper on it, mix well and then deep fry these cubes on medium flame till they turn golden brown. Drain and set aside till sauce is prepared.
For the sauce, heat sesame oil in a wok (kadhai), to that add garlic, sliced chillies, onions and peppers. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes on high flame. Now reduce the flame, add sugar, all the ingredients of the sauce one by one and mix properly. In the end add the fried tofu cubes, gently toss to coat them with the sauce. Serve hot with chilli sauce or tomato ketchup.

Ingredients:
400gms boneless and skinless chicken; cut into stripes,
15 mushrooms; halved,
1 green pepper; cut into cubes,
1 red pepper; cut into cubes,
7-8 fresh red chillies; thinly sliced,
2-3 scallions with the green; chopped,
2 tbsp finely chopped garlic,
2″ piece ginger; finely chopped,
1 tsp sugar,
2 tbsp fish sauce (or as per taste),
3 tsp dark soy sauce (or as per taste)
Olive oil,
Salt and pepper to taste.

Method:
Heat a skillet and add a generous amount of oil to it. Add garlic, ginger and scallions and fry for 2 minutes on medium flame. Now add the chicken, season with salt and pepper and saute for few minutes. Reduce the flame, add mushrooms, peppers, chillies, fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar. Stir well and cook till chicken is tender. Serve hot as an appetizer.