Ramen Noodles - More than just Sodium in a Bowl

[Callisto in NC]

Okay, I know I can't be the only one who can make a nutritious meal out of Ramen noodles. I use the noodles as a base, add hard boiled eggs, frozen vegetables, low sodium chicken broth (in lu of the packet of flavoring that comes with it) and some seasoning and I have a kid friendly, fast meal for those nights I leave my office an hour later than I should be.

I have an aunt that makes a Chinese Chicken Salad and ever since she had a hard time finding the right noodles or fried wontons, she adds raw Ramen noodles to give it crunch.

Am I the only one who will admit to being creative with this packaged wonder.

 

[Jeekinz]

Makes a good after dinner snack. The beef flavor leaves a weird after taste though.

 

[kitchenelf]

I love to poach an egg in it, add some cilantro and lime and Pickapeppa (sp?).

a bit of sesame oil sometimes

whatever veggies are handy

I PROUDLY admit I love the stuff!

 

[luvs]

i like them, too!! they're so quick.

 

[Maverick2272]

We go thru a box or two a week here (12 to a box). Many different ways but my favorite is to take a tsp of panang curry paste with a tbsp peanut butter, mix with the boiling water till dissolved and then pour into the cup. Works best with the shrimp version.

 

[Fisher's Mom]

We go thru a box or two a week here (12 to a box). Many different ways but my favorite is to take a tsp of panang curry paste with a tbsp peanut butter, mix with the boiling water till dissolved and then pour into the cup. Works best with the shrimp version.

Oh yeah, my sons all prefer the shrimp flavor hands down. (Of course, they'll happily eat any flavor that happens to be in the pantry.) They all like to add various things to their ramen including canned Veg-all, leftover meat sliced thin, sriracha and other hot sauces, and other stuff I probably don't know about. I've never heard of the peanut butter thing, Mav, but I'm definitely going to pass this on to my guys!

 

[BreezyCooking]

I LOVE ramen noodles, but prefer the brands sold at Asian markets. The seasonings are more varied, spicier, & less salty. And they're just as inexpensive as the garden-variety supermarket brands.

And I never just eat them plain. I add sliced fresh garlic, chopped fresh veggies (scallions, bok choy, broccoli, snow peas - whatever I have on hand), along with other seasonings like chili-garlic paste, black bean sauce, hot sesame oil, etc., etc.

When I'm done with it, it's definitely a nice healthy meal.

I also like to use ramen-type noodles plain (supermarkets with an Asian section usually carry them) & after cooking them stir-fry them up - again with veggies & my own seasonings added.

 

[Callisto in NC]

Wow ~ I'm so glad I started this topic. I was a little worried people would be aghast that someone would think Ramen noodles was an actual usable ingredient in a dinner dish.

 

[BreezyCooking]

No way Callisto! In fact, here's the recipe for our favorite ramen noodle accompaniment to Teriyaki-style salmon or chicken. Plus, you can easily double the recipe & add in cooked bite-size fish or chicken for a one-dish meal.

BREEZY ASIAN ZUCCHINI/CARROT NOODLE SIDE DISH

Here's a nice Asian-style side dish that I really like. Goes nicely with plain or Teriyaki-glazed chicken or salmon. Serves 2 but is easily increased.
Ingredients:
1 zucchini
1 carrot
package of Ramen Noodle soup mix
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
dash of red pepper flakes or to taste
vegetable oil
sesame oil
Preparation:
Wash & trim zucchini; wash, trim, & peel carrot. Cut both into julienne/matchstick pieces. Discard soup/spice packet from Ramen noodles or save for another use. Cook noodles according to package directions & drain.
Procedure:
In a medium/large skillet heat a thin coating of vegetable oil & saute squash & carrot sticks until squash is just tender. Add drained noodles, ginger, garlic, & red pepper flakes to taste & combine thoroughly. Add a drizzle of sesame oil, stir again, & serve.

 

[Michael in FtW]

You are definately not alone when it comes to Ramen noodles. Either as a meal on their own or as an ingredient in something else.
The best "on their own" are definately the shrimp noodles with the oil flavoring packet instead of the dry powder stuff that we used to get at our Korean market.

As far as other uses ... the question is where to begin? I've added them to egg drop soup, hot-n-sour soup, stir-frys, add some dehydrated vegetables (those cans of instant soup mixes) and you have a "cup o' noodles", scramble a raw egg and pour over cooked noodles and add a sprinkle of crumbled bacon ...

 

[Uncle Bob]

Hmmmm I wondering Michael... Sardines and Ramen noodles!

Hey it might work!

 

[Michael in FtW]

Hey, why not!? But, if you ferment the sardines, press out the juices and turn them into a sauce - you've got noodles with fish sauce!

 

[roadfix]

I like to keep it very simple. ......chopped weiners, cabbage, & green onions. Served in a traditional ramen bowl.

This is all I ate when I was a student & single, except I ate directly out of the pot.

And since I live in L.A. there are many ramen shops (Japanese) close to where I live and their menus consist of dozens of different kinds of ramens.

 

[Constance]

Hmmmm I wondering Michael... Sardines and Ramen noodles!

Hey it might work!

That oughta give you your dose of sodium for the day!

 

[expatgirl]

what's really nice is to take an egg that's been beaten and pour it into the pan while the broth is simmering and whisk it in........it gives a really nice texture and thickens the broth.......we like to add shrimp, chicken, etc, and other veggies......fresh baby napa cabbage is fantastic..........as well as bean sprouts......fresh not canned............I also like to add the chopped broccoli slaw if I can find it as well as fresh spinach leaves.......have not been home for 6 months so I have no idea what this stuff costs now.......probably and arm and ............

 

[BreezyCooking]

I LOVE those little bags of "broccoli slaw" (actually just slivered tender broccoli stems). Buy them all the time to add to soups & stirfries.

 

[expatgirl]

the broccoli slaw is great in a many Asian dishes.........I love it in Moo Shu Pork or MS Chicken........great in salads or soups if added at the end......

 

[GB]

My mom makes a great salad with Ramen noodles. I do not have the measurements, but it is:

2 packages of Ramen noodles
Shredded Cabbage
vinegar
oil
sugar
salt
toasted slivered almonds

You add the seasoning packs to the dressing and crumble up the noodles and mix everything together. It is delicious.

 

[DramaQueen]

I used to buy just about every flavor or Ramen noodle soup mix. I thought they were great for a late night snack, light lunch or whatever until one day I decided to look at the list of ingredients and nutritional chart. HOLEY MOLEY! It really is nothing more than sodium in a bowl. Now I throw away the flavor packet and use the noodles for other things. Salads for one.
When you think about it, how good can something be that sells for 10 cents per package??

 

[pdswife]

We keep a supply in Mexico for dinner the night we fly in. Toooo tired to go out or to go to the store. Open, cook and add a can of corn. Not wonderful but, it works.