Ramen Reconsidered

Ramen. When most people think of ramen noodles, they think of poor college students heating water in the the tiny microwaves above their micro-fridges and slurping the noodles and broth like it was going out of style. I did too - until I starting thinking about how those noodles act as a perfect blank slate for any number of creative food tastes and pairings. So I started using my imagination and created, and this is what I have come up with: my ramen bowl.

Ramen reconsidered

This is ramen noodles cooked in lightly salted water (none of that super-salty broth) and drained, sprinkled with some sharp cheddar cheese, layered with with minced onions and red peppers, fried egg, and some chopped scallions. A few splashes of hot sauce round out the dish. When you cut into the fried egg, the runny yolk mixes in with the melty cheddar to make a sauce, while the egg white and veggies provide some body to the meal, and the noodles act as a medium for it all to be consumed.

Breaking open the fried egg

This is one of my favorite go-to meals to make for myself anytime I feel like I need something substantial for lunch. The great thing about this dish is that it is highly customizable. The veggies I used here can be swapped out for other veggies, the cheese can be whatever cheese you have on hand, and you can even add meat such as ham or cooked chicken to up the flavor also. If you don;t like eggs, you can omit the egg and just use some of the cooking liquid from the noodles to help make the sauce.

Share in the comments what your "ideal" ramen bowl would contain. Remember - use your imagination, and reconsider this versatile and inexpensive noodle.