Hamburger and Green Beans

This old family favorite proved a winner during chemo thanks to the plenitude of thick sauce which coats the dish, featuring soy sauce and molasses and helping food slide down even the driest throat. I prefer it served over rice, though it may also be served with noodles or as a filling on bread or a tortilla.

Hamburger and Green Beans

Serves 4.

Prep time: 1 hour.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground meat

• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 1/2 c water

• 3 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp dark molasses

• 14.5 oz canned green beans (may also use frozen)

• 3 tbsp cornstarch

• 1/4 c cold water

• salt to taste

1. Cook the meat and onion together in a large skillet until the onion is tender.

2. Add the garlic, 1 1/2 c water, soy sauce, and molasses and heat to boiling.

3. Add the green beans and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer (uncovered) for 15 minutes.

4. Mix the cornstarch and cold water. Very gradually, stir into the meat. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens and boils. Boil for one minute more.

5. Serve hot over rice.

Variations:

• I prefer to err on the side of more green beans in this recipe than fewer. If making a 1.5x batch, 2 x 14.5 oz cans of green beans are usually about right.