Thai Style Green Beans

Over the weekend Elsie and I celebrated with our grandpa. It was his 85 birthday! For family lunches, usually my grandma will call each of a us a week or two ahead and ask us to bring a dish. She asked me if I'd bring green beans. I asked if she wanted my usual green bean casserole, but she said to try something different.

I think she was just looking for a little variety, since we have green bean casserole at lots of family meals for the holidays. I'm not sure if she was expecting something this different, but I know that many of my family members (including my grandparents) enjoy Thai food, so I figured why not? The result was this delicious, flavorful and super healthy side dish that got absolutely devoured at lunch on Sunday.Thai Style Green Beans, makes 5-6 servings (as a side dish). Adapted from here.

3-4 lbs fresh green beans
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon honey
1/2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoon oil (I used canola)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
3 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/3 cup cilantroFirst rinse and chop off the ends of the green beans. This is optional, as it's kind of a preference thing. You can leave the ends on if you like. Just make sure to remove any stems that might still be attached to your fresh green beans.

Blanche the beans in boiling salted water for 4-6 minutes. I like my green beans a little more cooked than the average, so feel free to blanche for only 2-3 minutes if you want to really preserve that green bean crunch. After blanching I strain my beans and allow them to just sit in the colander for few minutes while I prep other things. This will continue the cooking process. If you want to stop the cooking process then plunge your cooked green beans into a bowl of ice water.Next peel and mince the garlic and ginger. In a small bowl or cup stir together the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and peanut butter. Set aside. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Cook the ginger and garlic until very fragrant but not browned, 2 minutes. Add the green beans and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Pour the sauce (the soy, peanut butter mix) over the green beans and toss to coat. Remove from heat and garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Serve warm. Enjoy! xo. Emma

Comments

This is just what I've been craving for. Can't wait to try it out!!

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Posted by: Jessica | March 05, 2013 at 12:23 PM

This sounds so delicious! I hope you had a wonderful time!

Posted by: Hannah | March 05, 2013 at 12:30 PM

such an easy and delicious recipe, i can't wait to try it!

abigail
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Posted by: abigail | March 05, 2013 at 12:31 PM

Yay! Thank you for this! My husband and I honeymooned in Thailand last June and I've been missing it so lately! This dish will definitely bring us back :)

Posted by: Stephanie Cervantes | March 05, 2013 at 12:31 PM

I'm not a string bean fan but this looks so delicious! Thanks for the suggestion.

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Posted by: Anouka | March 05, 2013 at 12:32 PM

Oo, that is yummy. I am vegetarion so perfect recipe for me. I like it.

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Posted by: Denisa | March 05, 2013 at 12:35 PM

These look so tasty! And they look like something I could whip up.

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Posted by: heidi | March 05, 2013 at 12:36 PM

Hmm, looks delicious! I'm going to try that recipe for sure! http://www.flaircat.com

Posted by: Simone | March 05, 2013 at 12:38 PM