Ramen Broccoli Slaw

Welcome to fall...not really. I don't know about you, but its been in the 80's here in Virginia! October is my most favorite of seasons, but sadly its not quite feeling like fall around here.  Last weekend I was in Ocean City, MD to see my dad compete in the regional Barbershop Chorus competition.  While he was rehearsing I actually went to the beach! The beach, in October. Warm weather calls for warm weather food.



In the spring, I went to Ben's cousin's bridal shower. I absolutely love that side of his family. While most of Ben's family either forgets that I don't eat meat, or they just don't care enough to accommodate me, his aunt is the absolute sweetest.  Every family gathering at her place involves her walking me through all the vegetarian options that she made for me!  During the shower, we went through the same ritual. She pointed at a bowl full of greens and noodles, called it Ramen Broccoli Coleslaw, and told me it was vegetarian. I had never heard of such a thing. but after trying it I was hooked!  I decided it was time to try making it myself!

What you need:


Top Ramen Oriental flavor (the only vegetarian Ramen)
Olive oil
Broccoli Coleslaw
Sugar
Vinegar

Unfortunately, I lost the recipe, and I can't remember how much I used of each ingredient. I just remember that you smash the Ramen into small pieces, mix it up with the Ramen flavor packet and the other ingredients. If I find the recipe I will let you guys know!







The second time around, this was just as good as I remembered! I loved the combination of salty from the Ramen spices, the sweetness from the sugar, and the tang from the vinegar. The veggies were really fresh and really added to the mix of textures. The different crunches from the veggies and the noodles made this dish pretty complex. I love finding ways to dress up Ramen noodles, and this was definitely a winner in my book!

What are your favorite ways to dress up Ramen? Have you ever tried this Ramen Broccoli Slaw?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Peanut Ramen Noodles: Part 1

Hello everyone and welcome to the last post being broadcast from my home in New York!  On Friday, I will begin my journey to move with my boyfriend to Virginia!  I am so excited that finally after 4 years of long distance dating that we will finally be close. However, I am not too thrilled about leaving my home state of New York. No matter what I will always be a New Yorker!

Today I want to show you a quasi recipe that I put together from inspiration I got from good ole' Pinterest.  I have loved Ramen noodles since I was about 8 years old. My dad would cook them for me all the time by microwaving the noodles in the water, then mixing in the spice packet.  When I gave up meat at 11 years old, I stopped eating the chicken flavor (and all the other meat flavors) since they have the stock of the animal in the spice packet. Luckily there is ONE flavor of ONE brand that is vegetarian: Top Ramen Oriental flavor.  I gobbled up these quick noodles until I went off the college.  While all of my classmates ate more Ramen while at school, the local super market didn't carry the Oriental flavor, so I stopped eating them.  Once I came back home I rediscovered my love for the noodle soup and it was all Ramen all the time once again.

Then while browsing Pinterest, I saw some "recipes" that people had created using Ramen. With my love newly restored, I was so excited to try some of them out.  I wanted to start simple my first time. I mixed together a few ingredients, and Peanut Ramen Noodles Part 1 were created!

What you need:



For these noodles I grabbed the jar of peanut butter that I had in my cabinet, asian chili garlic sauce, and of course Top Ramen noodles in Oriental flavor.

What to do:
Fill a bowl with water and add in the dry noodles. Microwave for 3 minutes making sure to stir up the noodles halfway through.
Once they are all cooked, carefully drain out the water making sure to leave a little bit of water in the bowl.
Mix in the Oriental flavor packet, a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter, and chili sauce to taste.
That's it! How easy is that?



I am literally obsessed with these spicy noodles. The peanut butter makes them creamy, while the Ramen flavor packet is the perfect mix of Asian spices. Finally, I love how the chili sauce takes the Ramen to a whole new level of spice!



After I made these noodles, I actually stopped eating Ramen the "normal" way! Adding a few simple ingredients really takes Ramen from a poor college kid's food, to an easy to make Asian dinner!

These totally inspired me to take my Peanut Ramen Noodles to the next level.  I plan on trying these again but with CRUNCHY peanut butter, so it will have bits of peanuts in it just like in pad thai! I also want to try adding veggies or even tofu. I can't wait to keep enjoying and experimenting with Ramen Noodles!

Have you ever dressed up Ramen? What would you add?

Bye from the Veggie Side!