Chinese Take-Out Spicy Green Beans With Pork

Garlic, ginger, and chiles are the main flavors in this Chinese classic. Although this dish technically fills a portion of your daily allowance of vegetables, it doesn't taste like it. Serve this dish to the vegetable haters in your life. They might actually thank you for it. From the Take-Out Menu Cookbook.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  lb  pork tenderloin, frozen for 30 minutes, then thinly shaved with your sharpest knife
• 3  tablespoons soy sauce
• 2  tablespoons rice wine
• 1  teaspoon szechuan peppercorns or 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 cup  chicken stock
• 1  tablespoon  spicy  bean sauce
• 1  tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  chili-garlic sauce
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon  sesame oil
• 2  teaspoons cornstarch
• 1⁄4 cup  peanut oil or 1⁄4 cup  vegetable oil
• 1  lb green beans, trimmed and snapped in half
• 3  garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)
• 1 (1 inch)  knob fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 4  green onions, thinly sliced
• 1⁄4 cup  toasted  white sesame seeds

Directions

1. In a small bowl, toss the pork with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice wine, and the peppercorns. Marinate at room temperature while assembling the rest of the ingredients.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining tablespoon of soy sauce, the remaining tablespoon of rice wine, the stock, spicy bean sauce, hoisin, chili garlic sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Set aside.
3. heat a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat and add the oil.
4. When the oil is hot, add the beans and stir-fry them for 10 minutes, or until they begin to brown and blister. Remove the beans from the pan using a slotted spoon and pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the oil. Return the pan to the heat, and add the pork, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes, or until there is no longer any pink color to the pork. Add the green onions and cook 1 minute. Add the reserved sauce and green beans and mix well. The sauce will begin to thicken and glaze the pork and beans.
5. To serve, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
6. Variation: Feel free to substitute chicken, beef or shrimp, or tofu for the pork.