When eating for college students comes to mind, you typically think of two words: Ramen Noodles. I know my freshman year ramen noodles definitely wore out their welcome on my menu. Ramen was probably on my dinner menu at the least of 3 times a week, and we all know how healthy that is… There are some recipes that will make Ramen feel like an actual meal instead of a bad memory of freshman dining.
Have some ramen for breakfast. Yes, I promise it’s actually pretty good, because if you think about it it’s all about how you prepare them. They are just noodles after all and shouldn’t be too intimidating.
– Boil enough water to cover a block of ramen. Let the noodles cook (adding the flavor packet is optional) and then add a layer of sliced onion and tomatoes. I like my onions diced because it cuts up the flavor of the onion. Crack a raw egg over it and cover until your egg is the way you want it.
– Boil ramen and 1 beaten egg for about three minutes. Drain the water, but leave about a tablespoon left. Mix in the seasoning packet and add shredded cheese of your choice. For this recipe I prefer Monterey Jack. Add a dash or two off hot sauce. Wrap up the mixture in a warm tortilla and enjoy a hearty breakfast burrito.
This next recipe is good for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s pretty quick and very easy. Not to mention it’s pretty flavorful.
Ramen Frittata with Ham and Cheese
Ingredients:
-2 pkgs. Ramen (Chicken Flavor)
-1 Tbsp Butter
-6 eggs
-4 slices of deli ham. I usually add a couple more cause I like ham.
-3 green onions. Can be sliced thin or diced
-1/2 cup shredded cheddar
-Optional ingredients include 1 tomato and 1 bell pepper diced
Directions:
1. Move your oven rack so that it is in the middle, and preheat to 400°. Cook the ramen as directed leaving the flavor packets to the side. Drain.
2. In a large oven proof skillet melt the butter and cook the ham and onion for about 3 minutes (Can cook bell pepper and tomato in this step). In a medium bowl whisk the eggs and 1 packet of flavoring together. Stir in cooked noodles.
3. Shake the skillet to distribute the ham and onion evenly. You may need to use a spatula to help. Add the egg and noodle mixture to the skillet. Sprinkle with cheese.
4. Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
Another good lunch/dinner recipe is very simple and takes no time at all. Simply cook the ramen as directed, but leave the flavoring packet out. Add some black olives, pepperoni, a little bit of onion, some black pepper for taste, and some Italian dressing. Voila! You just made a 10-minute antipasto!
I bet you didn’t know that you could have ramen for dessert too.
-This definitely isn’t a recipe that you eat on a daily basis just to warn you. Start off by cooking the ramen in 2 cups water and ½ cup brown sugar. Pour off most the water and stir in a tablespoon of vanilla. Add ½ cup chocolate syrup and serve on a plate. Sp
rinkle with powdered sugar. The writer also suggests that you can top it with whipped cream. I prefer to use only a little bit and top it on my ice cream instead of just eating the whole thing by itself.
-If that recipe was a little too sweet for you I have my own version of it that isn’t overly sweet. First, you want to deep fry your ramen. This doesn’t take too long and it’s as simple as it sounds. No batter involved. It spreads out as it fries too. Once it’s been fried place it onto a plate and drizzle it with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and add some whip if you like. This goes great over ice cream!
See Ramen doesn’t have to be your evil enemy of foods. It can actually be quite delicious. Also if you don’t have any of these things around the house my favorite way of preparing it is cooking it, draining it, adding the season packet, and add some ranch dressing. It makes a creamy pasta in a matter of minutes.
Pictures courtesy of FotoosVanRobin, mehan, and TreasureLA
Info provided by rasmussen