Hearty Green Beans and Potatoes: A Northern Chinese Homestyle Recipe

by Jennifer Brown

Introduction:

A Culinary Emblem of the North

Green beans have long been a staple in the Northern Chinese diet, favored throughout all four seasons. These beans, which in bygone days were a summer treat, have now, thanks to modern agricultural techniques such as greenhouse planting, become a year-round pleasure. Today, I’ll share with you a homestyle green bean recipe that holds childhood memories for me, a nod to the pastoral blend of green beans and potatoes that graced my palate while growing up in Inner Mongolia. Once cooked in a large wood-fired pot by my mother, this dish’s flavour is unforgettable. Although now made in a simple frying pan, it still receives endless praise from my family, often requested the day after it’s served.

Ingredient Selection:

Classic Pairings for Green Beans and Potatoes

  • Bean’s Bounty: 1 large plate of green beans
  • Potato’s Earthy Delight: 1 potato
  • Pork’s Perfect Balance: 100g of pork (with a blend of fat and lean)
  • Onion’s Sweet Sharpness: 1 small section
  • Ginger’s Fiery Essence: 1 small piece
  • Oil’s Canvas: A suitable amount for cooking
  • Wine’s Fragrant Whisper: 1 tablespoon of cooking wine
  • Soy’s Savory Depth: 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • Garlic’s Bold Kick: 3 cloves, minced
  • Salt’s Seasoning Touch: A suitable amount to taste

Step-by-Step Creation:

Homestyle Green Beans and Potatoes

Prep:

Step 1

Gather the ingredients: clean the green beans, remove the strings and soak; peel and wash the potatoes; thaw the pork as necessary.

Meat Marbling:

Step 2

Slice the pork into thick strips to prepare for rendering.

Veggie Prep:

Step 3

Cut the green beans into segments and the potato into thicker strips to ensure even cooking; chop onions and mince the ginger.

Flavor Foundation:

Step 4

Heat oil in a pot and sauté the pork on medium heat until golden, extracting its rich flavors, then add ginger and cooking wine to eliminate any gaminess.

Aromatic Infusion:

Step 5

Introduce the onions for that aromatic hit, followed by soy sauce to enrich the color.

Bean and Potato Dance:

Step 6

Add the cut green beans and potatoes to the pot.

Herbal Hues:

Step 7

Sauté on high heat until the beans deepen to a lush green.

Broth Emergence:

Step 8

Pour enough water to just cover the ingredients, then bring to a boil before reducing to a simmer, covered.

Flavor Intensifying:

Step 9

Halfway through, turn the vegetables to cook evenly, reducing the broth slightly before seasoning with salt.

Culinary Crescendo:

Step 10

Stir in the minced garlic as a final flourish before it’s ready to be served.

Cooking Tips:

  • Flavor Retention Tip: Add salt later in the process to keep the green beans tender and vividly colored.
  • Garlic’s Highlight: The addition of garlic at the end is essential for a burst of flavor.
  • Meat Selection: Select pork with a mix of fat and lean for a dish that’s rich, satisfying, and delicious.

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