Sesame-Ginger Braised Green Beans    

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Serves 6 • Cooking Time 7 to 8 hours on Low or 4 to 5 hours on High • Slow Cooker Size 5½ to 7 Quarts

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: Asian-style green beans are a classic and healthy vegetable side; we moved them to the slow cooker to turn them into a hands-off dish that could braise all day. Cooking just half of the ginger and sesame oil with the green beans infused the beans with flavor, and stirring in a fresh portion of each once the beans were tender preserved their vibrant taste. A mixture of aromatics, hoisin, and a tablespoon of water created a sauce with the perfect consistency for coating the green beans as they gently simmered and soaked up flavor. Finally, sprinkling the beans with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions provided the finishing touch for this easy vegetable side. See the sidebar that follows the recipe.

1	onion, chopped fine
2	teaspoons toasted sesame oil
2	teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2	garlic cloves, minced
⅓	cup hoisin sauce
1	tablespoon water
2	pounds green beans, trimmed
	Salt and pepper
2	scallions, sliced thin
1	teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted

1. Microwave onion, 1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon ginger, and garlic in bowl, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to slow cooker. Stir in hoisin and water, then stir in beans. Cover and cook until beans are tender, 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.

2. Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon oil and remaining 1 teaspoon ginger. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Green beans can be held on warm or low setting for up to 2 hours.) Sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds before serving.

Per serving:
Cal 90
Fat 2g
Sat Fat 0g
Chol 0mg
Carb 20g
Protein 3g
Fiber 4g
Sodium 490mg