Green Beans with Basil and Miso Sauce

This has a Thai flavor that I love.  Salty and sweet with the hint of basil in it.  This combination is found in most Thai dishes as in this recipe in this blog.  I did not have fresh Thai basil and instead used dry sweet basil and it fulfilled what it is there for, namely to give that taste I remember eating in Thai restaurants.

To make it vegan, I substituted miso paste for the fish sauce that is usually used for this kind of sauce. I was pleasantly surprised it even improved the flavor.  It was smooth and not as strong as the fish sauce can be. My picky taster, my husband, almost ate the whole thing.

This an easy and quick dish to prepare and good for you.  I used vegetable broth rather than more oil to cook the green beans.

Green Beans with Basil and Miso Sauce

• 1 tbsp miso paste
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tsp oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 lb green beans
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp dry sweet basil

In a small bowl mix the miso paste, soy sauce, sugar and water with a spatula till smooth.  Set aside.

Heat the oil at medium heat.  Saute the onion and garlic in the heated oil till the they are cooked.  Add the green beans and vegetable broth to the onion and garlic mixture and allow to boil gently with the cover on. Once the green beans are cooked, add the sauce.  Stir the mixture till it is heated through.  Sprinkle the basil on top.

Serve over rice as a main dish or as a side dish to fish, shrimp or meat.