Ramen Gets Its Own Post

Seriously, this is all about the glory of a good ramen.

While watching a cooking show, I saw a "proper" ramen assembled. And I thought, I could do that!
Sort of...

I loved eating those packets of quick-cooking ramen as a kid and since it was affordable we would often have it for dinner. 2-3 nights a week even which, I'm going to say, probably was not the best thing for a growing kid. But that is why I am writing this blog! So that you can learn, as I have, how to make affordable food into a more nutritious meal without straining your resources.

First of all, when you make this ramen as a serving for two you only use one flavor packet. This saves a seasoning packet for the cupboard and it can be turned into gravy or broth for another meal. I would usually have about 4 of those chicken packets in my cupboard at any given time. And the broth on this recipe is SO GOOD, using the flavor packet is actually optional.

Alright, the shopping list on this one is extensive BUT all the ingredients go into multiple other recipes as well as allowing for multiple ramen dinners.

Fresh mushrooms

Frozen Peas

Corn (fresh, frozen or canned)

Fresh Carrots

Celery

Green Onion (or dehydrated onion flakes*)

Dehydrated Orange Peel (I got spices for $1 a bottle with coupons a few months ago and just bought a ton of random spices that I didn't already have. This is optional but is a fun little boost for the broth.)

Garlic Powder

Ground Pepper

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Fresh grated ginger (1/2 tsp) OR a pinch of ginger powder

Eggs

Soy sauce

Butter

...and of course, a packet or two of Ramen!

It does not matter what Ramen you prefer, we usually go for the Oriental but it works well with any of them as far as we can tell.

~Ramen Philosophy~

Ramen is a comfort food, some good hot noods for  your soul. So you can add or subtract from the basic veggies I have included here. You can do chopped kale, no corn, extra peas, 

-YOU GET TO BE THE BOSS OF THIS RAMEN.-

 Making ramen should be an experience of you and the pot, the good smells, the steam and the anticipation. Hopefully you don't hate mushrooms. Don't be a shroom hater. It's the biggest flavor component of this broth, especially if you choose to forego the seasoning packet. You can put all kinds of different protein in this dish, sliced pork or squid or leftover chopped chicken. Tofu! 

Frankenstein the heck out of this dish and eat it differently every. single. time. 

Develop your signature Ramen and make it for date night. 

Elevate this simple 20 cent bowl of sad into a sophisticated adventure for your palate.

TO BEGIN:

This is for 2 servings-

Chop your carrots, mushrooms, and celery into fairly uniform pieces. You should use one whole carrot and a small handful of mushrooms and one celery stalk. Dump these into a medium sized pot filled with 2 cups of water.

Add a pinch of orange peel, crushed red pepper flakes- a sprinkle unless you want it to be extra spicy, a pinch of garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp onion flakes.

Turn on the heat to medium, bring to a boil and add in your peas and corn. 1/4 cup of each.

After it has returned to a boil, add your 2 packages of noodles. Once they are softened enough to move around in the pot, make a well in the center of them and crack 2 eggs into the boiling water. Add 1tsp of soy sauce, your seasoning packet (if you want it) and turn off the heat. Add 1 Tbs of butter and cover. Let sit for 2-3 minutes. Then dish up into bowls.

When I can afford a frozen bag of shrimp we get that as a special addition to the ramen. One bag equates to about 5-8 servings because we only put 5 in each bowl. You can add it in with the eggs if they are pre-cooked and frozen. Start them earlier if uncooked and frozen, just after the noodles go in.

*Side note: for a tiny budget a largish bottle of dehydrated onion flakes will often work as well as fresh onion in many recipes and doesn't have the limited shelf life of a fresh onion. Rehydrated with a little hot water they turn into the onions that McDonalds sprinkle on their burgers so...your call. Some recipes I prefer the flavor boost. Like meatloaf!