Hey there, noodle enthusiasts! Are you tired of eating the same old instant ramen day after day? Well, it’s time to take matters into your own hands and doctor up that humble bowl of noodles into a gourmet delight. But how?
Well, you don’t have to be a trained chef or have an extensive pantry to do that. All you need is a little creativity and the right ingredients. So, how do you doctor up ramen?
To doctor up ramen, you can start by cooking the noodles according to package instructions and upgrading the broth with various ingredients. For a flavorful sauce, combine garlic, gochujang, sesame oil, peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice, and brown sugar. Top the noodles with an array of vegetables, proteins, and garnishes to bring the ramen to life.
In this blog, I will walk you through all the simple steps in detail to help you turn the basic, bland bowl of ramen into a flavorsome explosion. So, take out your imaginary white coats and become the mad scientist of the noodle world.
What You’re Going To Need
Let’s take a look at the ingredients you will need to doctor up ramen:
- 2 to 3 packages of instant ramen noodles
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of grated ginger
- 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons of sesame oil
- 1½ tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- Sriracha, for serving
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Got everything? Great! Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Cook the Ramen Noodles
The first step is to cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. I know you’re thinking, “but it’s instant ramen; it’s supposed to be quick and easy.” But hear me out. This recipe is worth the extra step, trust me. And once the noodles are cooked, you’ll want to set them aside and reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. This will come in handy later.
Step 2: Upgrade the Broth
If you want to upgrade your ramen, just water won’t help. So what will? Enter chicken broth.
Boil the chicken broth over high heat in a large saucepan. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the soy sauce, gochujang, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and mushrooms.
Let the broth simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This is where that reserved pasta water comes into play. If the broth starts to look a little too thick for your liking, feel free to add a splash of pasta water to thin it out.
Step 3: Cook the Eggs
While the broth is simmering, it’s time to cook the eggs. In a separate pan, cook the eggs to your desired doneness. Soft-boiled eggs work great for this recipe, but feel free to scramble or fry them if that’s more your style.
Step 4: Sauce it Up
Next up, let’s get the sauce sorted. Grab a heat-proof bowl, add some minced garlic, and gochujang. Now, it’s time to get sizzlin’! Gently heat up some sesame oil and pour it over the chili-garlic mixture once it’s hot.
Let the flavors mingle and sizzle for a few minutes, then whisk in the rest of the sauce ingredients – peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice, and a touch of brown sugar.
Step 5: Assemble the Ramen
Now, it’s time to assemble the ramen. Divide the noodles between two large bowls and ladle the broth over the noodles. Top each bowl with half of the green onions, half of the egg, and a drizzle of sriracha.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds or cilantro to add a pop of flavor and texture. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of oyster sauce for an extra burst of flavor, and voila! Your tasty, upgraded ramen is ready to be devoured.
And that’s it, folks! With these five simple steps, you can transform your plain and boring instant ramen into a restaurant-quality bowl of heaven.
And the best part? You can customize it to your heart’s desire! The possibilities are truly endless, so don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own.
Now that you’ve got the rundown on how to doctor up your ramen let’s get to the part where I give you some essential tips to cook ramen the right way.
A Guide to Ramen Perfection!
Here are some noodle-licious tips to help you create the perfect bowl of ramen every time.
1. Cook Those Noodles Just Right
Al dente is the game’s name. Don’t overcook your noodles, or you’ll end up with a bowl of mush, and that’s not what you’re aiming for.
2. Quality Is Key
Use the best ingredients you can get your hands on, like fresh noodles, top-notch broth, and quality proteins. Trust me; your taste buds will thank you.
3. Protein – Don’t Overdo It
If you’re adding protein to your ramen, keep an eye on it so it doesn’t turn into tough, chewy bites.
4. The Broth – Again, Don’t Overdo It
A good bowl of ramen should have just enough broth to coat the noodles, not drown them. So, hold back on the broth pouring.
5. Seasoning Station
Don’t forget to season your ramen! Taste the broth and add salt and other seasonings as needed to bring out the flavors.
6. Hot, Hot, Hot
Make sure to serve your bowl of ramen hot and steaming. Cold ramen is a no-go in every book.
7. Pair It Up
Add some extra flavor and texture by serving your bowl of ramen with condiments like pickled ginger, nori, and chili oil.
And there you have it! With these noodle-tastic tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating the perfect bowl of ramen every time.
Final Thoughts
This recipe for doctoring up your bowl of ramen is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. The gochujang adds a spicy kick, the sesame oil adds depth, and the green onions add a touch of freshness.
And don’t even get me started on the egg. It’s the perfect addition to this ramen, adding a rich and creamy element that ties everything together.
So, there you have it, folks! A recipe for doctoring up that boring instant ramen and turning it into a spicy, protein-packed masterpiece. It’s time to say goodbye to insipid and hello to bold, flavorsome ramen. Happy cooking!
