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***RECIPE, SERVES FOUR***
1 lb (454g) frozen lima beans (or fresh, but NOT dried — maybe canned?)
1 bunch green onions
1-2 fresh red chilies
1 thumb of ginger
2-3 garlic cloves
1 bunch cilantro (Thai basil would be nice instead)
1 lime’s juice (of half a lime if you want less acid)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup (60mL) gochujang (replace some or all with ketchup if you don’t want it too spicy)
1/4 cup (60mL)
1-2 teaspoons sugar
water
oil
rice to accompany (make it how you want)
Get your rice going and get the frozen or fresh beans coming to a boil in a pot of water. Reduce the beans to a simmer and cook until just tender — mine took 10 minutes. Drain the beans thoroughly.
If you’re using a cast iron pan on an outdoor grill like I do in the view, rub it with a thin layer of oil and get it heating inside the grill at maximum heat with the lid closed. If you’re cooking inside, don’t worry about it yet.
Slice the green onions thinly and set the green slices apart from the white and semi-white slices. Slice the chilies thinly, removing the ribs and seeds if you want to reduce the heat. Peel and chop the ginger and garlic. Roughly chop a big handful of cilantro or whatever herb you’re using. Cut the lime in half.
To make the sauce, disperse the cornstarch in a splash of soy sauce or water until smooth. Put in the gochujang, soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, cilantro, garlic, onion greens and enough water to get you 1.25 cups (300mL) total sauce once stirred.
Toss the drained beans, onion whites, ginger and chilies in enough oil to lightly coat everything.
If you’re cooking this inside, get your widest pan heating over high heat and hope your ventilation system will get out the smoke you’re about to make. If you’re cooking it outside, take everything outside.
Drop the bean mixture into the pan, spread it out to an even layer but don’t stir it until you’ve gotten a good char on the bottom of the beans. Stir for another minute or two to cook the vegetables. Stir in the sauce and reduce it until it’s almost as thick as you want it (I’ll thicken more before you eat).
Serve over rice.
