Ramen is likely one of those foods you’ve counted on more times than you can remember. When you’re broke and hungry, ramen is there for you. Why not do something nice for ramen in return— dress it up! There’s an endless number of things you can do to deck out your ramen, so try all of our suggestions, and then get creative and make up your own!
DID YOU KNOW?
Meat, dairy products, and eggs are completely devoid of fiber and complex carbohydrates, the nutrients that we’re supposed to be consuming more of, and are laden with saturated fat and cholesterol, which make us fat and lethargic in the short term and lead to clogged arteries and heart attacks in the long term.
ANCIENT JAPANESE NOODLE SECRET SALAD
The secret? It’s cheap, easy, and damn good.
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 packages ramen noodles (seasoning packets not needed)
1/2 pound lettuce of your choice, shredded
1 (10-ounce) can mandarin orange segments, drained
1/4 cup slivered almonds
In a bowl, mix together the vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and oil to make the dressing. Nuke until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Mix well and let cool. Crush the ramen noodles in the packages, and then pour them into the salad dressing. Dump the lettuce on a plate or in a bowl, sprinkle the oranges and almonds on top, and top with the dressing/ramen mixture. Enjoy!
Makes 2 servings.
RAMEN HOLIDAY
Ramen for those fancier occasions.
1 package ramen (try Top Ramen Oriental flavor)
1 cup frozen mixed Italian veggies
Place the ramen noodles and veggies in a bowl. Add water according to the directions on the ramen package and nuke for 4 minutes, or until the veggies are hot. Add the seasoning packet and eat. Yum!
Makes 1 serving.
“PIMP MY RAMEN” NOODLES
Spice up that raggedy package of ramen you’ve had since freshman year.
1 package ramen (try Top Ramen Oriental flavor)
1 heaping tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon Sriracha hot chili sauce
Crush the ramen and place in a large bowl. Cover with water and stir in the seasoning packet. Nuke for 4 minutes, remove from the microwave, and add the peanut butter and chili sauce, mixing well.
Makes 1 serving.
NOTE:
Best when served topped with fresh bean sprouts and crushed peanuts.
RENT’S DUE “CHEEZY” RAMEN
You gotta pay the man, but you gotta eat, too. Stick it to him with this easy and filling bite you can easily afford after you search your roommate’s pockets for change.
1 package ramen (try Top Ramen Oriental flavor)
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
Cook the noodles according to the directions on the package and drain the excess water. Add the seasoning packet and nutritional yeast and stir.
Makes 1 serving.
DORM-ROOM RAMEN DELIGHT
Tricked-out pasta for budding but broke-ass foodies.
1 package ramen (try Top Ramen Oriental flavor, minus the seasoning packet) Water
1 teaspoon vegan margarine
Garlic powder, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Nutritional yeast, to taste
Cook the ramen noodles in the microwave in just enough water to cover them. Drain. Add the margarine and a sprinkle with the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast. Stir together and eat.
Makes 1 serving.
FRESHASAURUS MEX RAMEN CASSEROLE
Everyone knows that ramen’s been around since dinosaurs ruled the earth, so try this fresh take on a Cretaceous Period classic.
6 cups water
3 packages ramen noodles
2 (15-ounce) cans vegan chili
1 (15-ounce) can tomatoes
4–8 ounces shredded vegan cheese
Put water in a 3-quart casserole dish. Cover with a lid and nuke for 3 minutes. Remove from the microwave. Crush the ramen inside the packages, (you won’t be needing the seasoning packets), and dump the noodles into the dish. Cover and nuke for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove and drain. Put the noodles back in the casserole dish, add the chili and the undrained tomatoes, and toss well. Cover and return to the microwave, nuking for 5 minutes or until hot throughout. Remove from the microwave, sprinkle with the cheese, replace the cover, and let stand until the cheese melts.
Makes 4 servings.