Ramen has become a godsend for broke college students seeking to create experimental meals while staying on a budget. Filled with warm broth, an abundance of vegetables, spices and soft noodles, the combinations for making an ideal bowl of ramen are endless. That being said, The VanCougar presents a simple veggie ramen recipe, perfect for first-time chefs ready to try something new.
Before doing anything, you will first want to prep your ingredients. Make sure all vegetables are diced or shredded and put off to the side, ready to grab and toss in a saucepan. When preparing your broth, pour a small amount of toasted sesame oil, chopped garlic and ginger into your pan until mushy and fragrant. Then, pour equal parts of vegetable stock and water with a miso soup packet for extra flavor. Let the broth simmer over medium heat for at least 10 minutes or until boiling.
After your broth has finished cooking, remove your saucepan from the heated stovetop and add in any vegetables of your choosing. In this portion, we recommended adding shredded carrots, bamboo shoots and a dash of sambal for a bit of spice. Finally, add in two packets of instant noodles and cook for 5 minutes or until softened.
Toppings for ramen vary depending on your preferences. For added protein, we fried up diced tofu in the leftover sesame oil, and included a half-cut soft-boiled egg. To ensure the right consistency, make sure to boil the egg in hot water for no more than 6 minutes before cooling in ice water and peeling its outer shell. After that, season your ramen with sriracha or chili oil, green onion, dried seaweed and panko bread crumbs to finalize your homemade masterpiece.
Developing skills in the kitchen may seem intimidating, but with this basic dish, beginners can start to explore the mesmerizing flavors behind ramen as a worldly cuisine. Whether you decide to drizzle crushed chile flakes or add fresh cilantro, the options are limitless, making a simple bowl of noodles unique to your own acquired taste.
Emily is a senior studying integrated strategic communication at WSU Vancouver.