Stink Bean and Asparagus Stir-Fry

This is a dish that makes its presence known and tends to linger. Stink bean, or sataw in Thai, very much lives up to its name. Its pungent odor and bitter flavor remind me, in some ways, of durian or stinky tofu: The smell might be offensive to some, but the flavor is complex and fascinating to others. And to up the challenge, you’ll find a dollop of shrimp paste in this recipe, too. Since we’re starting off with such a strong aroma, I thought I’d make this dish more approachable by