Scallion-Tofu Ramen

This recipe is another riff on something from Mark Bittman's formidable How to Cook Everything. It is a delicious and spicy and wonderful. I was dining solo tonight, so this recipe served one (very hungry!) me, but I think it might be able to serve 2 less-hungry adults.

Recipe:
2 tbsp. neutral oil
1-2 tsp. red chili flakes (depending on how spicy you like things)
3 tsp. chopped garlic
1 1/2 tsp. chopped ginger
7 oz. extra firm tofu
3 green onions, sliced with green and white parts divided.
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/3 c. cashews
1/3 c. vegetable (or other) stock
1 pkg. Ramen noodles

Directions:
1) Heat oil in a skillet until hot. Add Garlic, chili flakes and ginger. Fry until very fragrant (1-2 mins).
2) Add tofu and white parts of green onions. Fry until the tofu starts to brown. Add cashews and fry for an additional 1-2 mins.
3) Add stock and boil until the liquid reduces by half.
4) Cook noodles according to package directions.
5) Add soy sauce and green sections of onions.
6) Serve tofu-scallion mixture on top of noodles. Try to hold yourself back from gobbling long enough to take a better picture than me.

Until our next dinner,
ceh.

Ramen, but better

One of the major food groups in my life is noodles. So many different shapes and sizes that are the perfect canvas for all sorts of flavors. A really quick and easy noodle dish that is a staple in my repertoire is based in Maruchan Ramen. (Yes, the 10-15¢ collegiate delicacy). With a few quick fixes, this bottom shelf staple can become a seriously good meal.

The flavors are pretty basic, but the combo is out of this world. This recipe is for a single serving, but you can definitely multiply it for the number of people you're serving.

Recipe:
1 packet Ramen, Oriental (which is probably offensive) flavor
1/4 c. frozen corn
1/4 c. frozen baby lima beans
A handful of cashews
1 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
juice from one lime
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. hot Asian flavored hot sauce (like Sriracha)
small splash of neutral oil

Directions:
1) Cook Noodles according to directions, without adding the flavor packet. Drain the water, set aside.
2) Heat oil in a frying pan. Add corn and lima beans to the oil and cook until the corn caramelizes slightly, and the beans cook through. Add the cashews and cook until they are lightly toasted.
3) Add noodles to the pan and stir to combine.
4) Sprinkle contents of flavor packet over the noodles, corn and beans. Add soy sauce, lime juice, sugar and hot sauce.
5) Stir fry until most of liquid has evaporated.
6) Pour into a bowl and try to wait for it to cool down a bit before eating. (seriously, I dare you not to burn your mouth on this one...)

Until our next dinner,
ceh.