By: Monique Cole
Ramen noodles are a fan favorite with college students, mostly because they are cheap and easy to make. A package of ramen typically comes with a precooked block of noodles and a packet of seasoning. While ramen is economical and practical, it does have its drawbacks. Ramen is high in sodium and generally bland. Here are a few tips and tricks that can make ramen taste less plain without breaking the bank.
Drop the package and find alternative flavoring
This may be extreme for those who love the flavor packets, but try using only half of the package instead. While the packaging does provide taste, other flavorful and healthy options do exist. Soy sauce, powders, broth and peppers are all good seasoning options. For those who like a little spice, red chili powder, sriracha hot sauce or kimchi will add that extra kick. If a stormy, cold day leaves you in the mood for soup, using chicken broth or adding miso paste to the boiling pot of water can add more substance to the dish.
Colorful life equals a healthier life
While fresh produce can get expensive, all types of veggies can be added to the ramen mix. Spinach, green beans, mushrooms, corn, carrots and green onions are just some suggestions. The vegetables result in a more natural and filling meal. Just beware that different types of vegetables will require different cooking times. While most vegetables are added at the same time as the noodles, some might require a shorter cook time to prevent the vegetable from becoming soggy. Don’t have time to make an entire stir-fry? To save time, you can also use frozen vegetables for more soup-based instant ramen meals.
For the meat lovers
Buying meat on a college budget can be daunting. One cheap meat that tastes excellent in ramen is spam. Spam is a precooked ham that costs around $3. The meat tastes its best when fried for two minutes on both sides. Spam ranges in a variety of flavors, and even has a light option for those who are more health-conscious. If you’re feeling fancy, some other meat options can include rotisserie chicken, beef or even shrimp.
The egg-cellent choice
Whether boiled or scrambled, eggs require the correct timing when added to the mix. This technique is very common in traditional ramen in Asian food culture. If you prefer a soft boiled egg, add the egg towards the very end of the ramen cooking time. Adding the egg in at the very beginning will result in the egg disintegrating, so hold off until the last few minutes. While soft boiled and scrambled eggs have the same cook time, scrambled eggs will require you to prepare a beaten egg mixture.
Food daredevils, listen up
Those who love to experiment with food mashups can really get creative with ramen. Recipes have been created for college students’ love for macaroni and cheese as well as pizza. According to Spoon University, you can recreate the mac and cheese ramen in a few simple steps. First, add eight ounces of cheddar cheese and three-fourths a cup of milk to a cooking pot. Cook the ramen as normal. Once the ramen is drained, combine the two together. Another unique ramen recipe is pizza ramen, but this recipe requires the use of an oven. According to Food Beasts, the recipe requires dunking a block of ramen into pizza sauce, adding shredded cheese to the top and finishing off the pie with whatever toppings you would like. Keep the ramen in the oven until the cheese is golden brown and enjoy.
