Dressed-Up Ramen

I've always had a special place in my heart for Ramen and Cup O' Noodles. My mom would buy them occasionally when we were younger, and for whatever reason it always seemed like a special treat.

Now Ramen noodles don't seem nearly as exciting; they're more like one of those foods you make when there's absolutely nothing else in the kitchen to eat. Kind of a bottom of the barrel meal.

However, there are a few ways to dress this dish up and make a hearty meal. There's actually recipes all over the internet about this, but I figured I would share my personal favorite.

While the 2 cups of water are boiling on the stove, toss in a desired amount of vegetables. I had a frozen mix of corn, peas, carrots and lima beans, so I threw in a generous amount. You could add any veggies you like though. Once your water is boiling, add the noodles and HALF the included Ramen seasoning (I had the Chicken flavored one, but I think the Oriental flavor might work even better). Ramen seasoning is ridiculously high in sodium, and you just don't need to use it all for this recipe.

Now, the fun part. You can add whatever seasonings you want. I absolutely love spicy foods, particularly Indian flavors, so I add a few dashes of Yellow Curry Powder, a sprinkling of Garam Masala, and a little bit of red pepper flakes. All of these spices are very strong, so be careful you don't add too much or your mouth will be on fire.

Lastly, crack one egg into the mix and stir. I was wary of this part, but a good friend from high school insisted and I won't eat my Ramen without egg now. SO good.

Voila!

This whole meal takes about 5 minutes, and doesn't ever take a special trip to the store. Just use whatever you have laying around in your kitchen! Give this recipe a try and you won't be disappointed.

--R