Ramen- Two ways

Ramen isn't exactly the healthiest meal to give a tot but for some reason they love it.  It falls into the category with hot dogs and chicken nuggets- it's high in sodium and there is little nutritional value.  In Hawaii, there are Ramen shops where the primary food served is noodles!  They are wonderful and one of the things I crave when I go home.  There are really some great ideas to take away from these shops.  For example, you can put anything you'd like in Ramen and you can serve it hot, cold, soupy or dry.  Also, a few simple condiments can make a big difference. The two ways I am going to show you are simple and add some good stuff for your little ones (and you).

Ramen

Package of ramen noodles (Chicken is most liked by the little ones but I prefer the miso or kim chee)

1 egg, slightly beaten in a bowl

Frozen peas (or mixed veggies.  carrots work well)

EXTRAS:

Green onions or chives, sliced finely

a bit of white pepper (black is ok too)

some sesame oil

leftover chicken, pork, turkey or other meat (you can serve it as is or mix bit of soy sauce and sugar and heat it together in a pan)

More suggestions!

Frozen wontons or gyoza

Cabbage

Mushrooms

Tofu

Greens-spinach etc

Bean sprouts

Put a pot of 4-5 cups of water over high heat till it boils.  Break the ramen into 4-8 pieces put into boiling water. After about 2:30 minutes, add the soup base.  Do not use all of the soup base if you are using less water.  Turn the heat down and stir.  Slowly, drizzle the raw scrambled egg to make a circle in the soup.  Do not stir.  If the egg doesn't cook in a few seconds, turn the heat up to medium. Once it's cooked, turn the heat off and add the meat, green onion, white pepper, sesame oil, and the frozen veggies.  The frozen veggies will cool off the soup and the soup will thaw the veggies. 

Serve in a bowl with a fork, a spoon for slurping, and chopsticks if you have them.

KC couldn't get enough.  He had two servings then drank the soup out of the bowl.

Fried Ramen

Package of ramen noodles (Chicken is most liked by the little ones but I prefer the miso or kim chee)

1 egg, slightly beaten in a bowl

Pork or chicken in any cooked form

Pinch of sugar

Soy sauce

EXTRAS:

Frozen peas (or mixed veggies.  carrots work well)

Green onions or chives, sliced finely

a bit of white pepper (black is ok too)

some sesame oil

leftover chicken, pork, turkey or other meat (you can serve it as is or mix bit of soy sauce and sugar and heat it together in a pan)

More suggestions!

Frozen wontons or gyoza

Cabbage

Mushrooms

Tofu

Greens-spinach etc

Bean sprouts

Put the water on the stove.  While it's heating, chop your ingredients.  Scramble an egg in a non-stick pan, S/P, then place in a bowl.  Put noodles in the water.  Add your meat and veggies to the pan with some oil (a couple drops of sesame is great).  A minute early, remove the noodles and put them into the veggies.  Put a teaspoon of the soop base, a pinch of sugar and one turn of soy sauce in the pan.  Add the egg, and mix it up.  Top with green onion and serve.

Hmmmm . . . granola bar or noodles??

Noodles!