Ingredient of the Month: Black Beans

My Sichuan Pepper love affair is still in full swing, but I have to admit I've met another ingredient that I've been seeing on the side: black beans. They're super healthy and undeniably delicious. Here are two recipes that can be knocked up in fifteen minutes and will rock your world.

Fermented Black Bean Chili Oil

Finely chop the garlic, ginger and onion and roughly chop the fermented black beans.

In a sauce pan, with a 1tbsp of oil, fry the chopped ingredients until light golden brown, on a low heat for 10mins.

Add the chilli flakes, continuously stirring for a further 5 – 10 minutes.

Add the sauces and the tomato paste and stir in well.

Once everything is well combined pour in the rest of the oil.

Allow to cool and cover in a sealed container.

Keep it in the fridge and add it to any dish for a little kick, or use it as a dipping sauce.

Stir Fried Black Bean Beef

Finely slice the meat and place in a medium sized prep bowl

Finely chop the garlic and place in a small prep bowl

Add the black beans and a pinch of salt to the garlic and crush using the end of a teaspoon

Finely slice the fresh ginger and place in a small prep bowl

Add all the marinade into the meat bowl and massage well ensuring you add the corn flour last

Dice the onion and place in a small prep bowl

Cooking

Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok to high heat

Once smoking hot, add the onions and turn heat down to medium

Once the onions have slightly softened, add the ginger.

If adding vegetables such as bell peppers / Chinese broccoli/bamboo shoots – add at this point and stir-fry for roughly 2 minutes.

Now push any vegetables aside, turn the heat back up to high and add the marinated meat to the wok.

Once the meat starts to brown, add the black bean mixture and stir fry for 1-2 minutes

Now add roughly 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, a dash of dark soy sauce and the lager

Bring to a vigorous boil and stir fry until the sauce thickens (2-3 minutes)

Add a dash of sesame oil to finish

And there you have have it, two easy and nutrional recipes that will hopefully kick off a little love affair of your own.