Chinese Long Beans with Cracked Black Pepper

• Recipe by Jean-Georges Vongerichten

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2. 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
3. 1 pound Chinese long beans or green beans, cut into 3-inch lengths
4. 1/2 medium red bell pepper, peeled with a vegetable peeler and cut into 1/3-inch dice
5. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
6. 1/4 cup water
7. 2 tablespoons soy sauce
8. 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the long beans and red pepper and stir-fry until the beans are slightly softened and browned in spots, about 5 minutes. Add the sugar and stir to coat. Add the water, cover and cook over moderately low heat until the water has evaporated and the beans are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce and cracked pepper and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a platter and serve.