Garlic Green Beans (Din Tai Fung Style)

• 1.1lbstring beans, ends trimmed
• 2.8–10clovegarlic, finely minced
• 3.neutral oil, for flash-frying
• 4.1pinchsalt, only if it needs it after tasting
• 5.¼tspwhite pepper

• 🧂Lower-salt version: no MSG and only a pinch of salt at the end. The blistered beans and fried garlic carry the flavour. Taste, then add lemon before salt.

Method

1. 01Wash and trim the beans, then dry them thoroughly with a paper towel - wet beans make the oil spit.
2. 02Half-fill a wok or pot with oil and heat to 190 C (375 F).
3. 03Flash-fry the beans in batches for about 45 seconds, until they start to blister. Drain on a paper-towel-lined tray. Let the oil come back to heat between batches.
4. 04Pour off the oil, keeping a couple of tablespoons. Saute the garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute, then add the beans back.
5. 05Season with white pepper and toss until fully coated. Taste, then add a squeeze of lemon before reaching for salt.