Spicy Stir-Fried Chinese Long Beans with Peanuts

A vibrant stir-fry dish featuring crisp-tender Chinese long beans tossed with crunchy ground peanuts, aromatic garlic, and spicy Thai chiles, finished with a tangy lime juice dressing. This traditional Asian side dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

4 servings
13 min

Ingredients

  • lb Chinese long beans
  • ½ cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 whole Thai chiles
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 whole shallot
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 serving lime wedges
  • 1 piece flat-bottomed wok

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cook untrimmed beans in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer with tongs to a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, then drain in a colander and pat dry with paper towels. Trim beans and cut crosswise into 3/4-inch pieces.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, pulse peanuts in a food processor until about half of peanuts are finely ground and remainder are in very large pieces (do not grind to a paste).

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Stir together soy sauce, chiles, and salt in a small bowl.

    1 min

  4. 4.

    Heat wok over high heat until a bead of water dropped onto cooking surface evaporates immediately. Add oil, swirling to coat wok, then add garlic and stir-fry until garlic begins to turn pale golden, about 5 seconds. Add peanuts, and stir-fry until all of mixture is golden, about 30 seconds. Add beans, and stir-fry until hot and well coated, about 2 minutes. Remove wok from heat, then stir in soy sauce mixture and shallot, stirring until shallot has wilted. Drizzle in lime juice and season with salt, then transfer to a bowl. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    *Available at Asian markets.

  6. 6.

    **Available at kalustyans.com.