Marinated Green Beans

Name: Marinated Green Beans
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 1 pound fresh green beans; 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder; Dash pepper; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

For many years, I made this dish with asparagus. At Thanksgiving, green beans were all I had, so I used them instead. Everyone enjoyed it. Plus, it doesn't take much time to put together. —Phy Bresse of Lumberton, North Carolina

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 pound fresh green beans
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Dash pepper
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add beans; cover and boil for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain immediately place beans in ice water. Drain and pat dry. Place in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, ginger, five-spice powder and pepper. Pour over beans; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled. Sprinkle with sesame seeds just before serving.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 49 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Marinated Green Beans in Light & Tasty December/January 2005