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How to Cook with Sweet Potatoes,How to Cook with Sweet Potatoes
Recipes

A quick, healthy, and flavour-packed side dish with a touch of citrus.

Ingredients:

  • 300g string beans, trimmed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add the string beans and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the beans are tender but still crisp.
  3. Season with salt, pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice. For extra heat, sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
  4. Serve immediately as a side dish.

A quick and healthy stir-fry with protein-packed chicken and crisp string beans.

Ingredients:

  • 300g chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 300g string beans, trimmed
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated

Method:

  1. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, heat the remaining oil. Add garlic and ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds.
  3. Add the string beans and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender but still crisp.
  4. Add the chicken back to the pan and drizzle with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
  5. Drizzle with sesame oil and serve immediately.

A flavourful stir-fry with ground beef and string beans, perfect for a quick dinner.

Ingredients:

  • 300g ground beef
  • 300g string beans, trimmed
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)

Method:

  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and fully cooked.
  2. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the string beans and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
  4. Drizzle with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 minutes.
  5. Sprinkle with chili flakes for a spicy kick and serve hot.

Storage tips for string beans:

  • Fresh string beans: Store fresh string beans in a perforated plastic bag or in a container with a lid in the fridge. They will stay fresh for about 4-7 days.
  • Prepped string beans: If you’ve already washed and trimmed your beans, place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. They will last for about 2-3 days.
  • Freezing string beans: To freeze string beans, blanch them first. To do so, boil the beans for 2-3 minutes, then immediately transfer them to ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain them well and freeze in an airtight bag for up to 6-8 months.

Cooking tips for string beans:

  • Trim the ends: Before cooking, trim the tough, fibrous ends of the string beans. You can snap them off by hand or use a knife.
  • Blanching: Blanching string beans before using them in salads or stir-fries helps preserve their vibrant colour and nutrients. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then plunge them into an ice bath.
  • Sautéing and Stir-Frying: String beans work wonderfully in stir-fries. For a quick sauté, cook them over medium-high heat in a hot pan with some oil and garlic. They’ll cook quickly, maintaining their crunch.
  • Roasting or Baking: Toss string beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast them at 200°C for 15-20 minutes for a crispy, caramelized texture.
  • Steaming: Steaming string beans is another great option to keep them tender yet crunchy. Steam them for about 5-7 minutes until they are bright green and just tender.