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Ingredient Sat Sep 27 2008
Chinese Long Beans
Chinese Long Beans (which also go by "yardlong beans", as well as many other names) are a little frightening at first glance. They resemble conventional western string beans in their color and width but seem drastically out of scale in length. They can be found at the farmer's markets or Asian grocery stores, where they are often displayed folded over or looped around themselves.
Unfortunately, most recipes call for chopping the beans into 2 or 3-inch sections, eliminating the effect of shock these beans elicit in the market. Their tougher texture, however, makes them the perfect candidate for stir-fries (such as this one) because they can stand up to higher heat. When paired with shallots, peanuts and soy sauce, as well as the heat of a chile, these long beans really shine.
