I’m determined to make fetch happen with fried ramen. I’m sure it’s already a thing, I just don’t see it enough. It’s too hot to eat soup right now. I need my noodle fix in other tasty ways...know what I mean?
I follow tons of food accounts on social media. Food lovers, chefs, home cooks, enthusiasts all of these multiple foodie types. Everyone has their own interpretation of their relationship with food. I consider myself a home trained cook, taught by the best non-professional food preparers in the world. Mom and Grandma. I looked at my enhanced ramen today and smiled. I don't know if they would be on board with my modern day recipe shortcuts. Food was labor intensive when I was growing up. Hours of prep, then more time to actually cook the meal. Have you ever spent a whole day in the kitchen to prepare a meal? You know what I mean. My elders shrug and cackle at quick meals.
Lately, I've been trying to find different ways to prepare convenient meals. I'm all in for a big dinner a few days a week, but on my work days, I try to whip up foods that are a bit less time consuming. I've been literally throwing everything in a big skillet and keeping it moving.
I have frozen steamable vegetables on hand, I separate my meat into smaller ziploc packages for easy thawing, then all I have to do is add some spices. Today's meal was just that simple. So simple I don't know if it even classifies as a recipe. It's a throw together.
Ingredients:
2 packs ramen noodles
1/2 lb. or 1 cup thawed imitation crabmeat (You can use shrimp as well)
1 bag steamable broccoli (mixed vegetables also go great here if you have)
6 Mini bell peppers - multi color (sub. 2 regular bell peppers )
3 cloves garlic/ chopped
2 green onions / chopped and separated into whites and greens
4 Tbsp. sesame oil
4 Tbsp. cooking oil
1 Tbsp. hot chili oil
1/4 cup dark soy sauce ( it may say sweet soy sauce)
Salt & black pepper to taste
Seafood seasoning
Garlic powder
1/2 tsp. flavored bouillon (I used beef)
Prep:
Boil ramen noodles for two minutes, add 1 seasoning packet, toss and and drain.
Steam broccoli in the microwave for 1 minute less than the package time.
Lightly season thawed crabmeat with kosher salt, pepper, seafood seasoning, garlic powder.
Directions: (Wok should be on medium heat to cook vegetables and crabmeat.)
Heat ~4 Tbsp. cooking oil in a wok or non-stick pan
Saute mini bell peppers for 2 minutes
Add the whites of the green onions
Add the chopped garlic
Add broccoli.
Season vegetables with salt, pepper, garlic powder.
Toss all the vegetables until combined.
*Note - Before adding crabmeat , if more oil is needed. Add it here.
Add imitation crab meat. Toss around 5 minutes to cook through.
Put crab and vegetables in a bowl. (Yes I know it says "one wok." Stay with me :)
Drain any crab juice left in the pan. You want these babies to lightly fry.
Add 4 Tbsp. sesame oil to the hot pan
Increase heat to medium- high to cook noodles
Toss in cooked ramen.
Season lightly with black pepper, garlic powder, and flavored bouillon.
add sesame oil, hot chili oil, and soy sauce. Toss until seasonings marry.
Flatten noodles in the pan and let cook for 1-2 minutes. This will allow the noodles to crisp up a bit.
*Note -If you notice sticking. Add a tbsp of sesame oil and move around slightly.
Lower heat to medium low.
Add vegetables and crabmeat back to the pan. Toss all ingredients together.
Turn of heat and let hang out together for 1-2 minutes.
Add the green of the green onions.
Serve with sweet chili sauce on top.
As I mentioned, this was a throw together meal. You can toss any of your favorite vegetables or meat into this dish. This is also a meal where you can go MEATLESS, and did I mention affordable? It's really tasty and everyone will leave the table satisfied. The two packs of ramen stretch a long way. For bigger portions just double the recipe.
Did you guys know that I'm all over social media?
Feel free to follow and give me a shout out!
@Shakenbakenblog