Ingredients

I just got off the phone with the lifestyles editor of my local paper. Seems a recipe I submitted to the annual recipe contest was selected as a finalist! Hurray! And, get this, it is a fat-free recipe! Well, at least I think it is. I still don''t know if black bean paste has no fat added to it. Here''s the recipe:

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

1 lb fresh green beans
2 tablespoon black bean paste
2 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce or tamari
1/4 cup cold water
1 tablespoon corn starch

Directions:

Wash green beans and trim into bite sized pieces. Steam or microwave with a little water until just tender-crisp. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.

Mix together the black bean paste, soy sauce, water and corn starch until very smooth.

Heat a wok or large saucepan to medium high. Add some water and the cooked beans. When beans are heated (about 2 minutes) add the sauce. Stir constantly to coat the beans (sauce will get very thick). Serve immediately over hot cooked rice.

This sauce and cooking process can be used with just about any vegetable you like. My hubby loves this recipe when made with asparagus, but last time I checked asparagus was $3.99/lb (OUCH!).