Green Beans with Pork & Black Bean-Garlic Sauce

Transform green beans into a spicy, salty meal. A little pork, a little black bean-garlic sauce…a lot of sticky-savory deliciousness.

Green Beans with Pork & Black Bean-Garlic Sauce
Serves 4 as a side dish, 2 as a main course

1 lb. green beans, trimmed
1/4 lb. pork sausage or ground pork (I used pork breakfast sausage, specifically the pork breakfast sausage from Blue Gentian Farm)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. minced ginger
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp. black bean-garlic sauce
2 tsp. Thai fish sauce
1/4 c. water
toasted sesame oil

Optional: chopped toasted almonds

Bring a saucepan of salted water to boil. When water boils, add green beans. After 3 minutes (water will not quite return to a boil), drain in a colander. Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage and onion together. Stir in the minced ginger, red pepper flakes, black bean-garlic sauce, fish sauce, and water. Add green beans and toss to coat. Saute for 5-10 minutes, until water evaporates, the sauce thickens, and the beans become tender.

Transfer beans to a serving plate. Sprinkle with sesame oil and almonds (if using). Serve warm (not hot; the flavor will be better).