Stir-Fried Purple Hyacinth Beans
素炒紫扁豆 · pan chinese cuisine
Purple hyacinth beans (zi bian dou) are a classic Chinese home-style vegetable. They must be cooked through before eating, as raw or undercooked hyacinth beans can be toxic. Once fully cooked, the beans turn green with a soft, tender texture and a hint of sweetness balanced by gentle heat from the pickled chili sauce.
Gus WhitfieldRetired firefighter in Texas, been smoking brisket since before it was cool. Low and slow is the only way. Still burn the rice sometimes, don't judge.Nutrition & allergens
No supported allergens detected from surveyed ingredients.
Some ingredients are not yet allergen-surveyed; this label is not exhaustive.
Per serving (4 servings)
- Energy (kcal)
- Unknown
- Protein (g)
- Unknown
- Fat (g)
- Unknown
- Carbs (g)
- Unknown
- Sodium (mg)
- Unknown
Estimated from verified ingredient data for the original formula — not lab values, and one dish is not a full meal.
as needed
5.0 clove
salt盐
to taste
0.74 oz
Techniques you'll use
- Aromatic blooming (bao xiang) ↗
Bloom ginger, garlic, and chili in hot oil to build the aroma base.
- Stir-frying ↗
Cook small pieces in stages, then bring them together while their textures are distinct.
- Simmering (dun) ↗
Gentle low-heat cooking in liquid until flavors merge and meat softens.
Steps
Heat a little oil in a wok (the pickled chili sauce also contains oil, so start with a small amount). Add the garlic and pickled chili sauce and stir-fry until fragrant.
✅ Done when: The garlic and chili sauce smell strongly aromatic and sizzle in the oil.
Add the purple hyacinth beans and stir-fry, then season with a little salt.
✅ Done when: The beans are evenly coated and lightly stir-fried before the salt is added.
Pour in about half a bowl of water, cover, and simmer until the beans are just cooked through. Taste one — it should be tender. Do not eat them raw or undercooked, as hyacinth beans can be toxic.
✅ Done when: A bean tasted from the pot is fully soft and tender with no raw crunch.
- 4
Step 4
Once done, the beans will be green. Taste one: slightly sweet with a touch of heat, soft and tender throughout.
✅ Done when: The beans have turned from purple to green and taste soft, tender, mildly sweet and slightly spicy.