Quick Miso Ramen Soup with Broccoli and Carrot
New Media PublishingAlthough I've long been a great believer in whole grains and cooking from scratch, and strived to raise my two daughters on wholesome foods, I will admit that I occasionally turned to convenience items such as packages of fast-cooking ramen noodles for quick lunches when the girls were young. I rationalized my choice by tossing out the flavor packet with its list of unpronounceable ingredients and instead using nourishing miso to flavor the soup. When you crave noodle soup but you're really short on time, ramen do come to the rescue.

Now that both of my daughters will be in college (the younger one starts in a couple of weeks) and both will be preparing their own food, I know their cupboards are likely to be stuffed with packages of ramen noodles, the default meal choice for so many students because they are surprisingly inexpensive and cook so quickly. With that realization fueling me, I set out to develop a collection of ramen recipes that not only embellish the noodles with healthful vegetables and interesting flavors, but that even I would be proud to serve at home.

From ancho chiles and lime in a Mexican-inspired soup, to the warmth of fresh ginger in a chicken soup, to a Chinese stir-fry on top of a crispy-fried ramen cake, the following recipes are not only fun to make but show the diversity of what ramen can do in a pinch. If by some chance you need more convincing, just ask my neighbors with whom I shared the many versions I was trying. They loved these ramen incarnations so much, they've been asking me for the recipes.

Ramen Recipes

Ramen Fagioli
Ancho Chile Chicken Ramen Soup
Pea and Bacon Ramen
Mushroom and Arugula Ramen Frittata
Gingered Chicken Vegetable Ramen Soup
Quick Miso Ramen Soup with Broccoli and Carrot
Stir-Fry Beef and Snow Peas with Ramen Noodle Cake
Egg McNoodle
Garlic Soup with Spinach and Miso

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