Asian-Style Green Beans

We typically like our green beans with butter, salt, and garlic, but occasionally dinner calls for a more Asian-inspired bean, and this recipe does the trick!  We love to serve these with The Best Mongolian Beef.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 lbs of green beans, or two large handfuls
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp grapeseed, avocado, or other good cooking oil
1/2 tsp fresh ginger, sliced, or 1/4 tsp ginger paste - this stuff is a time and life saver!
1 large or 2 small cloves of garlic, smashed
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Sesame seeds for garnish, optional


DIRECTIONS

Snap the ugly ends off of your beans and rinse.  In a large skillet with tall straight sides, cover beans with water and bring to a boil for 6 minutes.  Test a bean, and if they are ready, strain them in a colander.

Turn the heat off, but leave the skillet on the burner.  Toss the cooking oils, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes in the skillet and stir constantly for 1 minute.  Be careful not to let anything burn.  Add the beans to the skillet, toss everything together, top with sesame seeds, and serve.