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Family Recipe: Garlic & Green Beans!
August 09, 2005
INT. MR. R.'S HOTEL SUITE--NIGHT
One fantastic dinner is spread out on the table before Mr. R., Miss A. and Lauren. Enough food for twice their number. But the trio doesn't even notice the extensive preparation as they are absorbed in the company of each other.
MISS A.
(laughing)
And if he didn't yell "Cut!" when he did, I thought I was going to die!
MR. R.
I'm fairly certain he did that on purpose.
Laughs all around.
MISS A.
This movie just gets more insane every day.
Lauren sits back and smiles contentedly.
LAUREN
Let's just hope it earns us all an insane amount of money.
The conversation continues, the food gets cold. But it doesn't matter to Caryn because unbeknownst to anyone in the room, she has snuck out.
INT. CARYN'S ROOM--SAME
Caryn stands before the mini-bar fridge in her room. She has emptied out the tiny bottles and chocolate bars and replaced it with some of her own groceries.
A bag of green beans ages gracefully on the middle rack, but Caryn selects it anyway. She snags a head of garlic that also looks like it has seen better days.
Hot oil heats in a wok, rigged up to a hot plate. Caryn sets about cleaning the green beans. She is hungry and tired. She has big plans for these beans.
INT. MR. R.'S HOTEL SUITE--LATER
Most of the cast and crew on this movie are asleep. Caryn, however, is cleaning up the vast mess that was left for her. She periodically grabs one of her green beans, now transformed into a salty, garlicy creation.
Mr. R. enters wearing a plush hotel bathrobe tied loosely at his waist and drying his wet hair with a small towel. A green bean hangs from Caryn's mouth when she spots him. She quickly munches it up.
CARYN
I thought you went to bed.
MR. R.
Nah, just in the shower. What are you doing here so late?
She pauses in her work and contemplates his question.
CARYN
Mr. R., I really think I need some time off. When we get to Ohio tomorrow, I'd like to take two days for myself.
The seasoned actor lowers the towel from his head with the precise amount of concern.
MR. R.
Um, sure. Take whatever you need.
CARYN
Great.
The pair stands in silence for a moment. Caryn considers the pile of dishes still on the table.
CARYN (CONT'D)
Okay, good night.
She grabs her green beans and answers his previous question by a quick exit to her room.
My Uncle Barry, born and raised in China, is one of the best cooks I know. He has many perfected dishes in his repertoire, but he is always willing to experiment. This dish is one of the most requested at family dinners. Use a wok as a frying pan if you have it.
1-2 lbs. of green beans
3 tsp. finely chopped garlic
vegetable oil
salt
1. Remove the tips and strings of green beans.
2. Soak the green beans in water for about two minutes and drain off the water.
3. Heat enough oil to cover beans until very hot. Deep fry the green beans until there are wrinkles (about 3 to 5 minutes).
4. Remove the beans from frying pan and drain off oil from pan.
5. Add garlic to pan and roast for 30 seconds. Add green beans and salt.
6. Let garlic and green beans sit for about 2 minutes (over low heat, to get the garlic flavor). Serve.
Posted by Caryn at August 9, 2005 07:35 AM | Printable Version | Recipe Only
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Comments
Yay, you're back! I adore fried and sautéed green beans. I frequently pan roast them over high heat in a similar fashion, letting them get blistered and brown. I will definitely try your method.
Posted by: tara at August 9, 2005 09:31 AM
Just like the ones I make and LOVE. Now I need to go to the store and get some green beans. :)
You had me worried, it had been so long between pages. I am glad that Caryn took some time off. She has been working too hard. Mr. A needs to give her a raise.
Posted by: leannwoo at August 9, 2005 10:16 AM
Hi Caryn - I'm glad you are back. I love to cook green beans like you do, we have fine beans and dwarf beans here in the UK - they look very similar but fine beans taste nicer...
Posted by: keiko at August 9, 2005 06:16 PM
Made my day!!! I too will be making a stop at the Farmer's Market for some green beans after work, lol.
Posted by: Regina at August 10, 2005 06:09 AM
Hey... good to see your entry. Hope you are OK... sounds like you're a bit stressed. :(
Posted by: AKMartin at August 10, 2005 01:10 PM
Caryn, I was really missing tour stories! Great recipe too, I have fresh green beans from my parent's garden, I think they will go through the oil tonight.
Posted by: Gracianne at August 11, 2005 12:34 AM
What a simple and elegant dish! I will definitely be giving it a try, thanks!
Posted by: gemma at August 11, 2005 07:53 AM
We eat these beans just about once a week (subbing olive oil for the vegetable oil) at our house, but my husband's family claims them firmly for Spain--Galicia to be exact. We don't soak them however; I'm curious, do you know how this adds to the process?
Posted by: Brandon at August 11, 2005 11:53 AM
Yum! I was just wondering if you used regular green beans or the long snake variety ? I suppose both would be lovely. A Chinese friend of mine prepares snake beans this way and they are delicious.
Posted by: Amber at August 11, 2005 09:09 PM
They sound SO good! I'll bet Uncle Barry has a lot of other great recipes, too.
Posted by: Moira at August 12, 2005 08:00 AM
Wow! Such a warm reception in returning to blogland! Thank you!
To answer the questions: Brandon, I really have no idea what soaking the green beans for 2 minutes does. Maybe Barry can respond with his answer? Amber, I use regular green beans, but they were longer than usual. I'm sure the snake beans would be great, but I would cook them for a shorter period because the snake beans are a little thinner, no? Just my thoughts.
Yes, Moira, Uncle Barry has many other great recipes. I only have a few of them...but will be seeking more!
Posted by: caryn at August 12, 2005 12:43 PM
So happy to read your wonderful writing again!
Posted by: Mia at August 20, 2005 03:27 PM
Just tried this, DELICIOUSLY PERFECT!
Thank you!
=)
Posted by: Denise at March 2, 2008 04:11 PM