P F Chang's Temple Long Beans

This copycat recipe is for P F Chang's Temple Long Beans. This simple stir-fry of Chinese long beans in a vegetarian oyster sauce is true to the spirit of Chinese Buddhist cuisine, hence the name, "Temple Long Beans." Pressed five-spice tofu is sold in the refrigerator cases of many Asian groceries. If you cannot find it or the fragrant Chinese yellow chives, simply double the amount of long beans.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

• 4  cups  chinese  long beans or 4  cups string beans, cut into 3-inch lengths
• 4  ounces  five-spice pressed tofu, cut into thin slices
• 1⁄2 cup carrot, julienned
• 1  cup  chinese yellow chives or 1  cup chives, cut into 3-inch lengths

• Temple Sauce

• 1⁄4 cup vegetarian oyster sauce
• 1⁄2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1⁄2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup hot water
• 2  teaspoons canola oil
• 2  teaspoons  cornstarch dissolved in 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water
• 1 -5  drop  sesame oil (optional)

Directions

1. Separately blanch the long beans and carrots until tender-crisp in plain boiling water. Drain and rush under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain again. Set aside.
2. Combine the Temple Sauce ingredients. Taste and adjust the soy sauce and sugar to your liking.
3. Heat a wok or wide skillet over high heat until hot. Add the vegetable oil, swirl to glaze the pan. Add the long beans, carrots and tofu. Stir-fry until hot, about 2 minutes.
4. Stir the sauce and add it to the pan. Bring to a simmer, tossing to bath the vegetables. Stir the cornstarch mixture then add it to the pan. Stir until the sauce turns glossy, about 10 seconds. Shower in the chives, stir to blend, then turn off the heat. Add the sesame oil and toss to mix.