The Beany Bird

Here’s a simple stir-fry that uses black bean garlic sauce, a staple in Cantonese cooking. The beans are fermented with salt and added to garlic to make a paste-like sauce.

In this recipe, fish filets may be substituted for the chicken. And don’t feel you have to use peppers and onions; diced carrots and celery work well too.

As with most Chinese dishes, white rice is the perfect accompaniment.

MENU

Chicken in Black Bean Garlic Sauce

Steamed Rice

Chicken in Black Bean Garlic Sauce

Active Work: 15 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Black bean garlic sauce is available in Asian markets and the Asian aisle of well-stocked supermarkets.

1 1/2 teaspoons black bean garlic sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

1 white onion, chopped

2 green onions, diced, plus more for garnish

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

* Combine, black bean garlic sauce, oyster sauce and sugar and set aside.

* Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat and saute garlic until light brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in red and green bell peppers, white onion and green onions. Cook until white onions start to turn translucent, 1 minute.

* Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add black bean garlic sauce mixture and pepper and mix well. Cook until chicken is cooked through, about 3 to 4 more minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions.

3 to 4 servings. Each of 4 servings: 197 calories; 133 mg sodium; 49 mg cholesterol; 8 grams fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 21 grams protein; 1.35 grams fiber.

Game Plan

30 minutes before: Cut up chicken. Chop bell peppers and onions. Start rice.

20 minutes before: Combine sauces in small bowl. Mince garlic.

10 minutes before: Remove rice from heat and reserve. Begin cooking chicken.

INGREDIENTS Shopping List

Red and green bell peppers

Black bean garlic sauce

Chicken

Green onions

Staples

Garlic

Oil

White onion

Oyster sauce

Rice

Sugar