super convenient noodles (fang bian mian)
I love cooking elaborate meals, and the smug sense of joy I feel at making too many dishes to fit on the table, but a lot of times I just want/need something tasty, quick, cheap, and healthy-- and that's when I reach for a package of 34¢ Top Ramen noodles. Wait-- I know what you're thinking. The last time you ate instant noodles was when you lived in a dorm and the noodles were most definitely not tasty or healthy. But I've got a secret.
In China, just about everyone eats instant noodles. Most brands of instant noodles in China come in a plastic bowl and sometimes with a piece of cured meat wrapped in foil.They're eaten as quick meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The name of these noodles in Chinese says it all 方便面 (fang bian mian) or convenient noodles. They're not going to wow a guest or make you proud of your culinary expertise, but you will most likely find them a great option for when you've only got 10 minutes to prep and eat. (That's how my lunch break goes most everyday, anyway.)
So, on to my secret ingredients. Add greens, soy sauce, and sesame oil into the boiling water with the noodles and spice packet. Drop a fried egg on top and sprinkle chopped green onions and maybe a little hot sauce on top. And voila! 5 minutes and you've got a balanced meal: protein, vegetables, and carbs.
Incidentally, the word "ramen" is Japanese. "Ramen" sounds like the Chinese word for hand-pulled noodles "lamian" so people say the noodles were invented in China. But I've also heard that pizza was invented in China and brought back by Marco Polo to Italy. Anyone tried Chinese pizza?
-Nate
Convenient Noodles
(makes 2 bowls)
1 package beef flavored Top Ramen noodles
2 Tbs light soy sauce
2 Tsp sesame oil
1/2 Tsp salt
6 leaves of swiss chard or Chinese spinach, stems removed
2 eggs
2 green onions, chopped
chinese hot sauce
Combine 3 cups of water, the Top Ramen spice packet, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt in a small pot and bring to a boil. Add the noodles and swiss chard leaves and boil for 3 minutes, then remove from heat. In a hot skillet, fry the eggs sunny side up until the whites are cooked but the yokes are still a little runny. Divide the noodles and broth into two serving bowls and top each bowl with a fried egg. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and add hot sauce if desired.
eggs, noodles, quick recipes, recipes, soups, vegetarian 
Reader Comments (7)
Sarah F.