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.