Tomato Ramen Soup

In college, our food service would sometimes offer ravioli soup as a choice.  This recipe isn't quite ravioli soup, but similar in the fact that it's made with tomato soup and noodles (ramen in this case).  I also decided to add some protein in this meal in the form of chopped hot dogs.  Actually, as I write, this recipe is beginning to be more reminiscent of eating Spaghettio's from a can with chopped hot dogs.  I ate that as a kid, and I'm sure many other people have too.  This recipe is a little bit more fresh that noodles and sauce that's been sitting pre-made in a can for who knows how long, although I'm sure some of you will disagree with me.  Regardless, this is a quick, simple, and filling recipe that will change the way you eat your usual ramen!

Ingredients
1 package Ramen (any flavor, discard the season packet)
1 can Tomato Soup
2 Hot Dogs (chopped)

Directions
1. Cook Ramen according to package directions (stove or microwave)
2. Drain water, and add can of soup with 1 can water.
3. Add chopped hot dogs.
4. Cook until hot and enjoy!

How Much Does It Really Cost?

Ramen - $0.33
Tomato Soup - $0.39
Hot Dogs - $0.75
Total = $1.47

Cost Details
Ramen - $0.33

Tomato Soup - $0.39

Hot Dogs
     Cost/Hot Dog - $0.75 / 8 = $0.09
     Cost for Recipe - $0.09 * 2 = $0.18
Total = $0.90


Cost/Serving = $0.90 / 2 = $0.45

The recipe is very simple and can easily be made in the microwave if you do not have access to an oven.  You also aren't getting all that unneeded sodium from the seasoning packet, and you are getting at least a serving of vegetables (depending on if you eat both servings or not).  I hope you like the recipe. :)  If you have any ideas on what you would add to the soup to give it your own flair, please share!

Taco Salad Ramen

I've noticed  that Tex-Mex cuisine has become ever more popular.  Just look at the restaurants that have popped up: Taco Johns, Taco Bell, Chili's, Carlos O'Kelly's, and many local restaurants all around the country.  I myself enjoy eating various Tex-Mex foods, and that's what inspired me to create this next ramen recipe!  It's quite a bit different than traditional ramen, but is certainly delicious and very easy to make.

Ingredients
1 package Chili Ramen
2 cups Water
Ground Chicken
1/4 Onion, chopped
1/4 Red Pepper, diced
1 cup Lettuce
1/4 cup Shredded Cheese

Directions - For the Stove
1. Begin by putting 2 cups of water in a pot on a hot stove.
2. While waiting for water to boil, put 1/2 a roll of ground chicken in frying pan.  Brown chicken, then add half the seasoning packet, onions, and red pepper.
3. By this time the water should be boiling, add ramen and cook for 3 minutes.
4. Drain most of water (leave enough to keep noodles moist), and add half the seasoning packet.
5. Shred 1 cup of lettuce on plate.
6. Add ramen and chicken mixture on top the lettuce.
7. Top with shredded cheese.

Directions - For the Microwave
1. Begin by cooking the ramen according to microwave directions in a mivrowave safe bowl.
2. When cooked, drain water and add half the package of seasoning.  Keep warm.
3. Put half a roll of ground chicken in microwave safe bowl and cook on high.  You will need to check meat every minute and break into small pieces.  *Be careful when cooking raw meat in the microwave as to avoid illness from under cooking.
4. Drain any grease or excess water that may be in the dish, add the rest of the seasoning packet, peppers, and onions.  Stir together.
5. Cook in microwave for another minute to warm vegetables through.
6, Assemble meal on plate (lettuce, ramen, meat/vegetables, and cheese on top) and enjoy!

How Much Does It Really Cost?

Ramen -$0.33

Ground Chicken - $1.25

Onion - $1.49

Red Pepper - $0.99

Lettuce (head) - $0.97

Shredded Cheese - $0.99

Total Cost = $6.02

Cost Details
Ramen - $0.33

Ground Chicken - $1.25
     Cost for Recipe = $1.25 / 2 = $0.63

Onion - $1.49 for a 3 lb bag (7 onions in ours)
     Cost/Onion = $1.49 / 7 - $0.21
     Cost for Recipe = $0.21 / 4 = $0.05

Red Pepper - $0.99
     Cost for Recipe = $0.99 / 4 = $0.25

Lettuce (head) - $0.97
     Cost/Serving = $0.97 / 5 (servings in 1 head lettuce) = $0.19
     Cost for Recipe = $0.19 * 2 (servings) = $0.39

Shredded Cheese (8 oz bag) - $0.99
     Cost for Recipe = $0.99 / 8 (1/4 cups per bag) = $0.12
Total = $1.77

Cost/Serving = $1.65 / 2 = $0.89


For just 89 cents you can have a Ramen meal that isn't the blah soup that you're used to!  In addition, you get some vegetable servings for the day.  I also want to add, for those of you concerned about salt, you COULD use half a package of taco seasoning for the whole recipe rather than the ramen seasoning package.  I realize ramen has a lot of salt while the taco seasoning has just about half of what the ramen does.  It would be a good substitute and wouldn't add too much more to the overall price.  Enjoy your meal and let me know what you think!

Ramen Fun!

I just found this fun game called the "Ramen! Cooking Game."  It's a very simple game, similar to the many you find on facebook.  Essentially, you have an alloted amount of time to make the dish listed for you customer and you earn money by completing the ramen dish, and more if done faster.  It has cute background music that you can shut off if you wish.  I haven't played it too long, but I'm assuming it gets harder and more interesting as you go.  So, if you have some time on your hands that you want to waste or take a study break (for all you college kids) here's a fun little game related to Ramen!

Link:
Ramen! Cooking Game

Screen Shot:

Ramen: A (brief) History

I don't believe much thought is put into the food we eat on a daily basis, especially as a college student.  What does it matter, right?  As long as it tastes good and is relatively inexpensive that is all that really matters.  Of course, with the obesity and other health problems plaguing Americans today, a lot of thought should be put into the food we eat.  We should be very conscience of the nutritious value of the food we put into our bodies.  Then why am I offering recipes about ramen?  It's because ramen can be nutritious if you think about how you prepare it, and there is where we need to think a little about it's history.

Ramen dominates a large portion of the Eastern food market.  Japan in particular has exemplified ramen as a form of cultural identification.  However, the noodles originated in China and later entered the Japanese food market.  The Japan Society has an article called "Food History and National Myths" that provides this insight to how ramen was brought into Japanese culture:

"Ramen entered the Japanese market as an inexpensive, accessible, low-class food for itinerant peddlers and poor students – including the Chinese - in the early twentieth century."

Sounds similar to the way Americans utilize ramen noodles in our diet.  They are still an inexpensive food, sometimes thought to only be eaten by lower class, and of course largely consumed by college students.  In America, the primary seller of ramen noodles is the Nissin company who created it's franchise in the 1970s.  Since then, the pre-packaged noodles have become widely popular with Americans as a 'cheap' food.

Although, I have noticed simply through browsing about the dish, ramen is becoming a popular cuisine in restaurants where it is made fresh and in various flavors.  A lot more appealing to me than 30 cent bags!  New York in particular has a large variety of restaurants offering ramen. A top 9 list can be found here:

The Village Voice Blog

New York isn't exclusive though, ramen shops are international and can be found just about anywhere where there is a major city.  It's a view of what more traditional ramen is like.  If you can, I'd suggest checking a place out, and possibly sharing here.  I bet it would be a lot of fun!

Either way, this very condensed history of ramen noodles is something to think about.  I have left out a lot of information, but I am not looking to write a thesis for you to read here!  So, next time you eat your bowl of ramen, whether it's dressed up or not, remember where it came from and how it got to you.

The Dress-Up Your Ramen Project

College students generally don’t want to spend a lot of money on food nor spend a lot of time preparing it.  As a recent college graduate, I can attest to being well aware of my limits concerning time and money.   I was on a meal plan for four years, but I still took time to manage where and when I spent my meals and flex dollars.  As a result of wanting to save time and money, many college students eat loads of ramen noodles. The food is inexpensive (typically 33 cents a package, sometimes can be found for less) and fast to make (3 minutes for plain ramen).  Here in the U.S. the primary brand found is Nissin Top Ramen which provides a few of flavors including chicken, beef, shrimp, oriental, picante beef, and chili.  Even with the small range of flavors plain ramen gets pretty blah!

 In order to differentiate the way we eat typical ramen I have started the “Dress-Up Your Ramen Project.”  The project is focused on the college student’s lifestyle, but is perfectly applicable for anyone on a budget.  I will do my best to provide healthful ways of utilizing ramen in your meals, but will throw in a few guilty treats.  Let’s face it; ramen is primarily carbohydrates, fats, and sodium.  Those are not the building blocks to keep your mind and body healthy!  In addition, YOU (the readers) will have the opportunity to offer your favorite ramen recipes and thoughts about the project.

Shrimp Ramen with Sugar Snap Peas

Makes 2 Servings

 

Ingredients

Shrimp Ramen (3 oz)

1 Can of Tiny Shrimp (4 oz)

2/3 C. Sugar Snap Peas - Frozen (12 oz bag)

2 C. Water (for boiling)

Directions

 1.  Boil 2 cups of water on the stovetop or the microwave, whatever is most accessible.

 2. Add noodles to the boiling water and continue to cook for 3 minutes.

 3. After 1 minute, add frozen peas to warm through.

            4. Drain and rinse shrimp.  Stir shrimp and seasoning packet into ramen and peas.

             5. Pour into bowl and eat!

* If you wish to decrease sodium, add only half the packet of seasoning.

            ** If using microwave, you may simply eat out of container used to cook the ramen.

How Much Does It Really Cost?

Ramen - $0.33 (3 oz package, may find it for less!)

Shrimp - $2.79 (4 oz can)

Sugar Snap Peas - $0.99 (on sale, but typically not much more expensive)

Total Cost = $4.11

Cost Details

These numbers indicate the specific price for ingredients used.

Ramen - $0.33

Shrimp - $.2.79

Sugar Snap Peas

     Serving Size = 2/3 cup

     Serving/Container = 4

     Cost for Peas = $0.99 / 4 = $0.25

Total = $3.37

Cost/Serving = $3.37 / 2 = $1.69

      Honestly, you are getting a very quick meal for a decent price.  I chose to do this recipe with shrimp since that was the flavor of ramen I was using.  However, I realize that canned, or fresh for that matter, is quite a bit more expensive than other options that would be more suitable for a college student’s budget. 

So, here is a wonderful option that is much more affordable.  Instead of using the canned tiny shrimp, stick with the sea theme and substitute with canned tuna fish instead.  It’s much more economical, is just as easy to prepare, and is as tasty as the shrimp.

Your NEW Meal Price

Ramen - $0.33

Tuna - $0.69 (look for sales for a cheaper price, too!)

Sugar Snap Peas - $0.25

Total = $1.27

Cost/Serving = $1.27 / 2 = $0.64