Stir-Fried Beef with Green Beans (Thịt Bò Xào Đậu Cô Ve)

Beef and green beans are the main ingredients necessary to prepare this dish. Since beef is used as the main ingredient, this dish is prepared fast because the beef is cooked very quickly. Another ingredient is Chinese celery, which is helpful for adding flavor to this dish; however, because I do not live near an Asian grocer, I replace Chinese celery with regular celery. Also, red bell peppers or carrots can be added to contribute interesting color to this dish. Garlic is a spice that goes extremely well with beef. So I use a lot of garlic not only by adding more flavor but also increasing the health benefits of eating garlic. This is a very common dish in Vietnamese families. If beef is not the meat available, chicken or pork can be used. I am not just introducing a delicious dish, but, and more importantly, it is very easy to prepare. So let's make this wonderful meal tonight.

Ingredients: (Yield: 4 servings) 
Meat marinade:
1/2 lb. eye round steak, thinly sliced
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs sake (Japanese wine)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 shallots, minced  
1/2 tsp sugar
Other ingredients:
1 lb. green beans, fresh or frozen
1 small red onion, cut into wedges
1/2 cup celery, sliced
1/2 cup carrots, julienned
6 garlic cloves, minced
 3 tbsp.vegetable or peanut oil

Sauce ingredients:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp oyster sauce
1 tsp sugar
1tsp rice wine  vinegar
1/4 tsp back pepper

 Garnish with fresh sweet basil and cilantro

Directions:
In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients and beef. Add 1 tsp of oil. Mix well and marinate beef for a couple of hours.

Combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.
Bring a pot with water to boil and add 1 tsp salt to the water. Add the green beans , carrot and parboil  them for a couple of minutes.

Remove green beans. Place in a cold water and drain (this method helps the green beans to retain their bright green color).

In a wok, add the rest of oil and fry the chopped garlic until fragrant.

Add beef and stirfry quickly for a couple of minutes. Remove beef to a platter.

In the same wok, Add beans and toss in the celery and onions. Stir for a minute. Add sauce.

Toss sauce to coat with green beans.

Return beef back to wok and toss well.

Toss everything together and re-season with more soy sauce, if needed.

Place on a serving plate and garnish with basil and cilantro. Serve with hot, cooked rice.