Food: 10 Ways to Dress Up Your Ramen Noodles

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10 Ways to Dress Up Your Ramen Noodles
Saturday, August 19, 2006

Staple of every college student's diet, Ramen noodles have been around since 1958 and have spawned an entire following. Believe it or not, many people consider these instant three-minute noodles, complete with flavored spice packet, to be a true addition to the world's cuisine.

The fact is, Ramen noodles get a bad rap. Sure, you might know them as 'cellophane soup' or any of the other catchy nicknames that they tend to go by. But most people go through at least a few phases in their lives where Ramen noodles are the ultimate guilty pleasure... and the ultimate quick snack.

In celebration of the world of Ramen noodles, we introduce ten easy ways to eat these noodles. None of these ideas require anything more complicated than what you already have in your cupboard. And, if you're like many of us who don't have time to cook or shop, what you already have in your cupboard consists of lots and lots of Ramen noodles. So get creative and enjoy with these simple tips.

1. Traditional soup. Boil Ramen noodles by microwaving for three minutes. Strain out as much or as little water as you please, depending on how much broth you like. Add the seasoning packet and enjoy.

2. Pasta dish. Boil Ramen noodles according to directions, then strain out all water. Sprinkle the seasoning packet onto the dry noodles for a quick pasta treat.

3. Raw crunchy goodness. Ramen noodles are pre-cooked before they are packaged, so it is perfectly safe to eat them straight from the package. Some people like to snack on them like chips; others prefer to crumble them on top of salad. If you're really adventurous, use the seasoning packet mixed with a little mayonnaise to create a tangy dip.

4. Veggie soup. Boil Ramen noodles as directed. Strain out as much water as you desire, then stir in seasoning packet. Add canned vegetables, or frozen vegetables that have been cooked separately, to create a healthy meal.

5. Double-duty noodles. If you've got a can of plain tomato soup in your kitchen that you're not looking forward to eating, spice it up with some Ramen. Add the noodles to the soup; or, if you have a basic Ramen flavor that goes well with tomato such as chicken or oriental, throw in the seasoning packet as well.

6. Casserole Ramen. Boil the block of noodles without breaking it up into pieces. When cooked, drain all water and then add desired ingredients. For example: a few slices of ham and a handful of shredded cheddar cheese make a great Ramen casserole. Layer desired ingredients on top of the Ramen block, then stick it in the oven at low heat for a long enough time to melt the cheese.

7. Peanut butter Ramen. Prepare noodles as directed, and strain out most of the water, leaving about 10% still in the bowl. Add seasoning (the spicy Ramens, like Chili or Jalapeno, work great for this); then add a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter. The peanut butter will melt into the water and create an Oriental-style flavored dressing for the noodles.

8. Ramen with Egg. Prepare Ramen as directed, leaving a small amount of water to create a strong broth. Add seasoning packet. While the Ramen is being prepared, boil or fry an egg until hard. Layer the egg on top of the Ramen noodle block. Eat together.

9. Extra-Oriental Ramen. Add a few teaspoons of sesame oil, soy sauce or ginger oil to your Ramen broth. This will give it the taste of Chinese food (but be warned, some of these ingredients can seriously raise the level of salt in the Ramen! You may want to leave out the seasoning packet to avoid salt overload).

10. Meaty Ramen. Prepare Ramen noodle soup as directed; in the meantime, dice up some pre-cooked chicken, crumbled cooked ground beef, or even tuna. Add the meat to the broth to create an extra-hearty soup. Try mixing and matching flavors with the seasoning packets to create the taste you want.

By this time, you're either sick to your stomach or you're jonesing to hit the kitchen or the grocery store and load up on some Top Ramen. The fact is, even the simplest (and most infamous) ingredients can be used to make just about anything in the kitchen as long as you're creative. Ramen noodles aren't complicated. They're tasty, cheap, and filling. They may not be healthy, but three out of four ain't bad.

Next time you're feeling burned out on Ramen, give some of these ideas a try. You might be pleasantly surprised.
-by bjp

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