Green Beans in XO Sauce

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup vegetable oil
2. 10 garlic cloves, minced
3. 2 medium shallots, minced
4. 1/4 cup minced peeled fresh ginger
5. 1/2 cup minced country ham or prosciutto (2 ounces)
6. 1/2 tablespoon Chinese fermented black beans, rinsed and chopped
7. 1 teaspoon sugar
8. 1 tablespoon dried shrimp, ground to a powder
9. 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
10. 1/4 cup brandy
11. 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine
12. 1 tablespoon Sriracha chile sauce
13. 1 1/4 pounds green beans
14. 1/2 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
15. 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons of water
16. Salt

1. In a medium skillet, heat the oil. Add the garlic and shallots and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, ham, black beans and sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until richly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the dried shrimp, ancho powder, brandy and rice wine and simmer over moderate heat until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the Sriracha and let the XO sauce cool.
2. Bring a large, deep skillet of salted water to a boil. Add the beans and boil until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain well.
3. Add the stock to the large skillet and bring to a boil. Add half of the XO sauce and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Bring to a simmer over moderate heat, stirring until thickened. Add the green beans, toss to coat with the sauce and cook until hot, about 1 minute. Season with salt and serve. Reserve the remaining sauce for another use.