In college, we often stayed up all night studying and pinched pennies just to make it through the next semester. On the flip side, maybe you work in an office and have zero time to meal prep or are not prepared to spend another $25 on a lackluster salad. Well, that's where Ramen came in. It's quick, easy to make, filling, and (more importantly) incredibly inexpensive.
Typically, ramen is made on the stove with boiling water. However, maybe you're in school and you don't have access to a stove all the time, or you are looking for a quick lunch to throw together in between meetings at work. Being able to microwave ramen can really be a game-changer. in this article, we're going to delve into everything you need to know about ramen and cooking it in the microwave.
What You'll Need
Ingredients
The ingredients list to make ramen is quite simple, aside from the 2 cups of water, the first, and most important, ingredient you'll need in this process is ramen. There are various types and flavors of ramen you can get at the store. You can most likely find ramen in the international foods section or in the soup aisle. It usually comes in large variety packs or you can even buy a singular pack if you prefer.
The flavor of ramen that you choose really just depends on your taste. There's everything from chicken and shrimp flavors to beef and pork among many others. If you're trying to cut down on sodium, most people discard the flavor pack inside the package and choose to season it on their own.
Process
The process of cooking ramen is probably just as simple as the ingredients themselves — and similar to cooking them on a stove. All you need to do is add 2 cups of water to a microwave-safe bowl, add your ramen, and cook for around 3-5 minutes. Once your noodles are cooked and soft, simply add your seasoning pack or whatever seasonings and toppings that you choose. And that's basically it.
Now this process works with the ramen that comes in the plastic sleeve. If you have ramen in a cup, you'll just need to follow the instructions on the package, which is typically the same process.
Different Variations of Ramen
©Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock.com
Whatever brand of ramen you decide to purchase, you're typically going to have the same base, making it the perfect palette for whatever toppings or seasonings you decide to put on it. To help you along your journey, we've discovered some standout variations that you may want to try for yourself. Just realize that some of these may take more time to cook than a simple microwave.
- Tonkotsu — with a cloudy white broth and a meat flavor, this type of ramen is packed with flavor.
- Shoyu — This ramen has a clear raw typically made with soy sauce and chicken or vegetable stock. It's also considered one of the more favored flavors in the U.S.
- Miso — if you're interested in a strong flavor, this type of Ramen will probably become your favorite.
- Shio — known to be one of the oldest of the flavors and saltier taste, this Ramen typically has multiple types of vegetables in it and a pale color.
Tips for Making Ramen
Well, the base is easy to heat up and the noodles cook fairly quickly, particularly in the microwave. It's important to remember some tips before getting into your dish. This will help you create the perfect meal to suit your tastes.
- Once you've created your base or you've decided on your base, remember not to overseason, especially with salt as the base can be salty enough on its own.
- If you have the time, feel free to add delicious vegetables, such as mushrooms, bok choy, or whatever you choose. Not only will your ramen turn out delicious, but it'll be a well-balanced meal.
- Add a little spice to give your Ramen a little kick. It'll make all the difference.
Recipe Card
If you're looking for a ramen recipe that's a little bit different, then you'll love this one. Enjoy!
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Ramen Noodle Salad
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Ingredients
- 1/2 head green cabbage, chopped
- 1/2 carrot, shredded
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1 package ramen noodles (Oriental flavor)
- 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds
Dressing (whisk or shake together):
- 1/2 cup salad oil
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Flavor packet from ramen noodles
Instructions
- Toast the nuts or seeds in a warm oven for 6-8 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-toasting. Cool.
- Combine cabbage, carrots, and onions.
- Break up noodles and add to vegetables.
- Shortly before serving, add nuts or seeds and the mixed dressing; toss well.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Oksana Mizina/Shutterstock.com.