Whether you're in a college dorm or living in an apartment Ramen noodles are a classic staple for making a quick, nutritious meal on a budget. Regardless of where you're at now or where you're coming from the odds are that you've both made and had some ramen at some point. They're super convenient, shelf stable and easy to make. There are some really easy and healthy ways to build up your ramen's flavor and nutrients by adding and preparing it just a little more than the traditional toss in the microwave. This is a much less formal recipe and you can really play with it and adjust it to whatever point you feel like it gives you a sense of comfort and fullness when you need a warm meal or something to sip on while you're taking some much deserved time off for movie or a show. Part of learning to love and care for yourself and make food is remembering that sometimes less is really more and basic stuff can be really built up with some extra time and love. Having a little extra time to relax and enjoy a nice meal, or a hot cup of noodles and broth when its cold can be really comforting. Ramen is super cost effective and shelf stable, so it's good to keep on hand just in case you miss the grocery trip when you plan it or you need to whip up something quick. This is one of my favorite meals to make when I'm back at home during the winter. After working outside splitting wood, shoveling snow or hiking its really nice to have a warm meal that helps replenish salt and that doesn't take a lot of extra time or energy to prepare. What you're gonna want for this: -A package of ramen (add one for every person you're making it for if its noodles for two or more) - An egg (or two) (adjust to people) -some green onions
-seasame oil (if you're feelin fancy or have it around)
-some light soy sauce
-other additional toppings, like nori, sesame seeds (optional, but find what you like) other sliced veggies, some lunch meats, or tofu (if that's more your jam than the eggs)
You're gonna want a small soup or sauce pot. It needs to fit at least 3 and a half cups of water/soup with room at the top to avoid boiling over.
You'll also want some chopsticks or a wooden spoon to push stuff around and stir.
First, measure out about 500 mL or a little over two cups of water and start heating it in the pot over the stove. Cover with lid to speed stuff up, or if you're in a jam use your electric kettle to pre-heat water and pour into pan over heat.
Add a very small amount of sesame seed oil to the water, as well as a about a teaspoon or a little more off the light soy sauce. For some spice, give a squirt of the sriracha or your hot sauce of choice. Heat until boiling and pot turns golden color.
After water is up to temperature, add thinly sliced green onion followed quickly by the ramen noodles themselves. Cover.
I prefer Ichiban noodles, or any of the Asian brand ramen you can get from an Asian or international market. The generic brands over-cook and get mushy, but you can use those also if its what you have. Just make sure you move fast and don't cover it if you're using TopRamen or Maruchan.
After noodles in soup base get back up to temperature, gently crackc egg into the center of the noodles. Leave noodles pack undisturbed in square to support the egg and keep it from immediately sinking. Cover with lid again.
Allow the egg to cook on top of the noodles for about a minute. Then add ramen seasoning packet over noodles near the edges where there's more water. Use stirring implement of your choice (careful with short, metal ones. they heat up quick) to push at the edges of the ramen noodles to break up the "block". Cover and cook for an additional minute and a half or until egg appears cooked on the whites of the egg and there is a slight cooking of the yolk, or unitl its solid if that's your preference. When that and noodles are the desired consistency, immediately turn off stove and remove pot from heat.
Pour into bowl and top with your preferred veggies, seasonings or additional protein or leave as is. Really you can modify this a hundred ways and YouTube offers a ton of helpful suggestions if you're looking to glam up this recipe or make it look really good too.
Play around with what you have on hand and explore your options! Enjoy!
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