Ramen as a Real Meal

We have enjoyed the information and the recipes in the Hub, Ramen Noodle Miracles. One of the things we have seen is that ramen is a staple food in many Asian countries and became a snack food or a college quick meal in the United States. With a little ingenuity and a few ingredients we may already have at home in the kitchen, we can make a full meal with ramen noodles as a base.

The following recipes are all dishes that my friends and I have tried and many of us have enjoyed them. We hope that you do as well.

As an interesting aside, the young son of one of my friends entered a food drive contest to help the local food banks. A prize was awarded, based on number of individual food items were collected. The child and his dad collected ramen noodle packs from everyone they knew and won the contest!

Ingredients

• 1 Package of ramen noodles, cooked with seasoning, then drained
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Small zuchini, sliced
• 1 Small yellow squash, sliced
• 1/4 C onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp chopped parsly
• 1 tsp salt and pepper combo

Instructions

• While ramen boils, saute squash in butter for 2-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
• Drain ramen and pour the noodles over the vegetables in the pot.
• Sprinkle your salt and pepper and mix briefly.
• Serve with onions and parsley on top.

Ingredients

• Pork flavored ramen; you will beusing th eflavoring packet
• 1 whole egg
• 1/2 cup frozen vegetables - peas and broccoli cuts
• 1/2 cup shredded cabbage
• ¼ cup broken cashews or peanuts
• Water (I use spring water)
• Pickled peppers

Instructions

• Break the egg into deep bowl, without breaking the yolk, and pour water to fill the bowl halfway.
• Place the ramen noodles on top of the egg and sprinkle the seasoning packet evenly over the top.
• Add the frozen vegetables, nuts, and chopped cabbage.
• Next, add more water to barely cover the ingredients and cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
• Heat in the microwave on high, 5 minutes. The egg should be soft boiled.
• Garnish with additional cabbage and the peppers.

Ingredients

• 1 small can tomato sauce
• 2 packages of ramen noodles, brick or cup
• 2 frankfurters
• 2 tomato sauce cans of water
• Garlic Salt
• Hot Sauce

Instructions

• Heat tomato sauce and water over medium heat.
• Let mixture come to the boil and reduce to simmer.
• Cut hot dogs into bite-size pieces and add to the pot.
• Bring to a full boil and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the noodles and seasoning packets.
• Add garlic salt to taste.
• Cook until the noodles are done and serve with hot sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pack "Creamy Chicken" ramen noodles
• 1 Can of cream style corn
• 1 Individual package frozen Broccoli & Cheese
• Pepper to taste
• Garlic or garlic salt to taste

Instructions

• Boil ramen in 2 cups hot water, but do not drain.
• Mix the seasoning packet into the soup.
• Add the corn, and defrosted Broccoli and Cheese.
• Season with pepper and garlic to taste.

Cole Slaw Noodles

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

Dressing

• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup white vinegar

Slaw

• 1 16-oz bag of cole slaw mix
• 2 bunches of green onions, chopped with 1/3 of the green tails added
• 1 cup sliced almonds, 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 2 packages of chicken flavored ramen noodles broken apart ( keep the seasoning packets for this dish)

Instructions

• Mix all dressing ingredients and let them sit together on the counter overnight in a covered container, at room temperature.
• Mix salad ingredients when ready to serve the following day, add dressing, and toss.
• Let sit in or out of refrigerator another couple of hours if you like, to let flavors blend.

Caramel Ramen Break Up

Ingredients

• One pack of ramen noodles - use the flavoring spices for something else
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• ¼ Cup broken nuts - raw peanuts, almonds, pecans, or English walnuts
• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

• Preheat the over to 300 degrees F.
• Mix the butter, brown sugar and honey and heat over medium heat until bubbles begin to appear, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Break up a pack of ramen noodles and mix into the caramel sauce. Mix to coat.
• Spray a baking sheet very well with cooking spray.
• Pour the mixture onto the baking sheet and place in oven for 4 minutes.
• Remove from oven and set the pan into the refrigerator or freezer to cool and set.