Tested and Perfected by Food and Wine
Chinese Long Beans with Cracked Black Pepper
© Lucy Schaeffer

Chinese Long Beans with Cracked Black Pepper

Contributed by
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • •FAST
  • •HEALTHY
  • •STAFF-FAVORITE
  • •VEGETARIAN

This recipe is a great example of how adding a few pantry staples (like sugar and soy sauce) can revitalize a simple vegetable dish.

Slideshow: Great Vegetable Sides

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