Dry-Fried String Beans with Pork
Ground pork adds a savory note to this easy stir-fry, which gets a spicy kick from a jalapeño chili.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
 - 1/2 cup beef broth
 - 3 Tbs. soy sauce
 - 1 Tbs. rice vinegar
 - 1 tsp. cornstarch
 - 1/2 tsp. sugar
 - 2 Tbs. corn or peanut oil
 - 1/4 lb. ground pork
 - 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
 - 1 green onion, chopped
 - 1 small red or green jalapeño chili, seeded and minced
 - Steamed rice for serving
 
Directions
Parboil the green beans
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans, parboil for 2 minutes and drain into a colander. Place under cold running water to stop the cooking. Pat the beans dry with a cloth towel. 
  
   Make the sauce
   In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch and sugar. Stir to dissolve the cornstarch and sugar. 
  
   Stir-fry the beans
 Warm a wok or large fry pan over high heat until very hot and pour in the oil. Add the pork and stir-fry until no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, green onion and chili and stir-fry until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add the green beans and stir to mix.  
  
   Give the sauce a quick stir, add to the wok and stir until the beans are heated through and the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Serve immediately with steamed rice. Serves 4. 
  
   Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast Series, Asian, by Farina Wong Kingsley (Oxmoor House, 2007).