Tina Firquain Staff writer
Since being in college, I have learned to survive on my own with a fairly limited budget, a budget that mostly gets spent on shopping or activities. When it comes to spending money on food, I get a little stingy. I love cooking, but I still don’t like spending my hard-earned money. I have learned when it’s time to pinch pennies, eating has to be cheap. It may be a cliché but Ramen really is the college students’ meal plan. Now eating the same thing day after day can get a little boring no matter how good the food is. So here are a few way to kick your Ramen experience up a notch.
CHILI CHEESE RAMEN
Start to finish: 5 minutes Servings: 1 1 Package of Ramen Noodles (square package) ½ cup nacho cheese ½ cup chili The recipe explains itself. Cook your noodles as you normally would. Do not add the seasoning. Heat up the chili and cheese in separate bowls in the microwave. This should only take 30 seconds. Once your noodles are cooked, drain and lay out on a plate. Top with chili and cheese. I would recommend waiting for everything to cool down before you dig in.
RAMEN SNACK MIX
Start to finish: 2 minutes Servings: 1 1 Package of Ramen Noodles (square package) ¼ cup pretzels ¼ cup of unsalted nuts (cashews, peanuts, etc.) Take your Ramen noodles and place in a large baggie. No seasoning. Begin to break the noodles up. I go for the pounding method. It is also a good stress reliever. Your main goal is to get the Ramen in small bite-size pieces. But be careful so the noodles do not puncture holes in your baggie Next add your pretzels and nuts to the broken Ramen. And add your choice of seasoning. For the snack mix, I prefer the beef flavoring but any will do. Here comes the fun part. I’m sure you have heard of “Shake ‘N’ Bake” chicken. Well here you have shake ‘n’ eat Ramen. Just shake the baggie until you believe all the ingredients are equally covered with the seasoning. Now enjoy a fairly healthy snack.
RAMEN NOODLE SOUP
Start to finish: 5 minutes Servings: 1 1 package Ramen Noodles (square package) 1 teaspoon butter 1/2 cup of choice vegetables 1/2 cup of choice meat Begin by cooking your noodles as normal. No seasoning. Do not drain. Cook your choice of vegetables in the microwave for 1 minute with butter. If you want meat in your soup, have it match your Ramen, like beef for beef Ramen or chicken for chicken Ramen. Once the Ramen is cooked, you should leave enough water to make soup. Once everything is cooked, add the vegetables and meat to the Ramen. Add your package of seasoning and let cool. Instead of having just noodles, now you have a nice soup.
