Chinese-Style Chilli French Beans

Ingredients

• French beans - 1 cup
• Corn flour - 1 tbsp
• Maida or all-purpose flour - 1 tbsp
• Egg - 1 tbsp
• Pepper powder - 1 tsp
• Green chilli - 1 whole
• Red chilli paste - 1 tbsp
• Garlic - 1 tbsp
• Ginger - 1 tbsp
• Onion - 1/4 cup
• Capsicum - 2 tbsp
• Soy sauce - 1 tsp
• Chilli sauce - 1 tsp
• Tomato sauce - 2 tsp
• Coriander leaves
• Salt
• Oil

Instructions

1. 1Combine corn flour, maida or all-purpose flour, pepper powder, red chilli paste, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste, egg and salt in a bowl and stir until smooth.
2. 2Add the French beans to the batter and toss them by hand so each piece is well coated; keep the bowl aside for 20 minutes to let the coating set.
3. 3Heat oil in a pan and fry the marinated French beans for 2-3 minutes until the coating firms and the beans are just tender; transfer to a paper towel to drain.
4. 4In a second pan, heat 4 tbsp oil, then sauté remaining ginger-garlic and the chopped onion until the onion turns light brown and fragrant.
5. 5Add the green chilli and capsicum to the pan and stir for a minute so they retain some crunch.
6. 6Pour in the soy sauce, chilli sauce and tomato sauce, stirring to combine and loosen the pan fond.
7. 7Add a little water to the sauce and bring it to a boil so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
8. 8Return the fried French beans to the pan and toss gently until every piece is coated in the sauce.
9. 9Stir in chopped coriander leaves, taste for salt, and adjust if needed.
10. 10Garnish with extra coriander leaves or spring onions if you like, and serve hot with rice.