Can wing beans really fly?
There are many things that distract our main focus. That's how our very powerful thinking works. If we fail to control this, it will be difficult for us to achieve our goals in life. This time, when I was going to cook, my mind was distracted by the name of the vegetable wing beans.
The word wing in that sentence actually made me think about wings that can fly. At first, I found out about the name of this vegetable when I was about to make a food blog about the recipe for the ingredients wing beans. In my area, they are called KECIPIR.
Indeed, I always look for other names for local vegetables. This is to make it easier for readers like you to find out more about the vegetables that I use. Also, you can search about it on the internet if there are already names for these vegetables in English. It is also in an effort to avoid us all in the error of whether vegetables can be eaten or not. This is because many edible vegetables and inedible grasses have the same shape and color.
Back to the name wing beans. Before I found out the name of this vegetable on the internet, I had never realized before that this vegetable was like wings. It's just that the wings are elongated, not the wings are wide. I just realized these two vegetable sides look like wavy wings! So, this is not about wing beans that can fly. Have you ever heard of this vegetable and why is it named wing beans?
The wing bean plant is a climbing vine. Just like the long bean plant. The inside of wing beans is also the same as long beans or green beans which have small green seeds. Additionally, they become increasingly fibrous and tough-textured as they age and are inedible.
I really like young wing beans which are great for stir-frying, and mixed with various other vegetables. There are lots of good memories about wing beans. My late mom was very happy to tell me to harvest wing beans in our garden in the past. However, in recent years, it has been very difficult to find wing bean plants in our area.
So, just like nostalgia, I immediately put wing beans into my shopping cart when I saw them displayed in the modern market. I'm so grateful to have found this vegetable!
I'm going to stir-fry wing beans with kernels. Then, I will serve them as a side dish for dinner. As an element for a filling dinner this time, I used potato ingredients. But potato in a different way which I never tried before. Before processing the potato into potato noodles, I will cook wing beans first. This is because the potato will easily change texture when it has cooled.
Wing beans will easily shrink during the cooking process. That's why we are recommended to mix wing beans with other vegetables to get the right portion. Like in this dish, I'm going to cook wing beans with a mixture of kernels. You can also use baby corn as well. Both of them are a perfect match for wing beans.
First of all, prepare wing beans and corn. For wing beans, slice them obliquely so they look like they have long strips. Then, separate the kernels from the corn cob. I used a large corn and it would be enough kernels to mix with the wing beans. If you can't find fresh corn, then you can use canned kernels which are widely sold in modern markets.
As in my cooking in general, I only use simple seasonings. Such as chopped onion mixed with red onion, slices of red chili, and flattened ginger. For red chili, you can replace them with slices of red bell pepper.
Heat cooking oil. Cook chopped onion, slices of red chili, and flattened ginger. Keep stirring until they smell delicious.
After the seasoning ingredients smell good, then add the kernels. Also, add a few tablespoons of water so they don't burn. I covered the cooking pot for about five minutes. But several times I checked them, stirred them so they wouldn't burn.
The final step, add slices of wing beans. Cook. Cook them for another five minutes or until the wing beans are the texture to your liking. For me, I like wing beans which are still crunchy. Wait. Don't forget to add half a tablespoon of salt before removing them. Then, set aside while waiting for the potato noodles.
I nicknamed the potato presentation this time potato noodles. Not like the noodles you guys imagine. Absolutely no flour mixture is involved whatsoever. I just use the potato itself. Then I shaped them like noodles.
I use a fruit and vegetable crusher. If you have a spiral vegetable, then it will be great.
After the potatoes are shaved, soak them in water. Potato shavings change color quickly without being soaked in water.
When the cooking oil has been heated, drain the shaved potatoes from the water. I recommend you use a salad spinner if you have one. After draining, fry the shaved potatoes until golden brown.
Serve stir-fried wing beans over a serving of fried potato noodles. Fried potatoes do look like noodles! I present this dish as a dinner. A good dish to replace rice.
Oh, it's too hard to replace rice for people on a carb diet in my area, especially for my husband who has gained significant weight. I'm happy and grateful that the menus that I make can be a way to start a diet that doesn't feel heavy for people who aren't used to leaving rice behind.
Well, what do you guys think about wing beans? Hopefully, my food presentation this time can make my appetite fly well too. As simple as possible, but what you like!
Best Regards,
Anggrek Lestari
Anggrek Lestari is an Indonesian fiction writer who has published two major books. Now She is a full-time content creator. She has a goal to share life, poem, and food content that makes others happy and can get inspiration.
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Discord: anggreklestari#3009
