Caputo's Hot Szechuan-Style Green Beans

Cut beans into 2 to 3 inch lengths. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar chili flakes and pepper.

Place a large skillet over high heat, when the skillet is hot add the beans and the water. Cover and cook, stirring once, until beans are bright green and slightly crunchy to the bite. This will take 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until all the liquid is gone.

Add the oil, garlic, ginger, and shallots to the skillet, stir until the beans and garlic are slightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add soy sauce mixture to the skillet, bring to a boil and stir until most of the liquid is evaporated and the sauce thickens and coats the beans, 2 to 3 more minutes.

Pour into a serving dish and serve hot or cool.