Help me not get bored with ramen this week.

[SimplyRochelle]

So, DH and I didn't budget very well last month and way over spent getting settled into our new house. We have had to put almost our whole pay checks towards bills and I ended up buying a bunch of ramen since I know DH doesn't mind it and I can always add veggies in it for me. We applied for food stamps today since I will hardly be working at all when school starts next week. Anyway, basically, I am just hoping you lovely super smart mamas would have some fun ways to diversify it. I don't use the seasoning packets so any sauce recommendations would be very welcome as well.

Thanks so very much!!!!

[Kailey's mom]

we've been there and done that lol

hey, besides the ramen.. what else do you have in your fridge/freezer? If you can post a list, I bet I could give you some good meal ideas ps: if you get foodstamps, they now fedex you the card, so it's like a 2 day process. My mom just got approved last week, and already got her card!

[34me]

My dh likes a couple drops of sesame oil, a couple drops of favorite hotsauce a pinch of cheese and he leaves a 1/4-1/2 cup of liquid so it'soupy

[ollyoxenfree]

I don't use the packaged seasoning either.

I saute minced garlic and ginger and red chili in a little oil (sesame is nice if you have it). Then I use chicken stock (or vegetable stock if you're veg.), some soy sauce, possibly some mirin, and bring it to a boil. Add some chopped veg. - carrot, red pepper, broccoli, grean beans and simmer. Add the noodles and cook until soft. Top with some chopped green onion and cilantro.

If you want some protein, either scramble a couple of eggs and slowly drizzle it into the simmering soup, or in a separate pan, fry an omelet and then slice it and garnish the soup with it. Or add some sliced left over chicken or beef or pork or ham.

You can vary this with all sorts of ingredients - a little fish sauce, oyster sauce, tamari, sriracha, kaffir lime leaves...

[SimplyRochelle]

Thanks. I can go out and buy probably $20 worth of groceries tomorrow so I'm trying to figure out what all I can get for super cheap.

[orangewallflower]

Burritos? A big can of beans, torts and rice, some cheese if you can afford it could stretch a long way.

[HappyMommy2]

I drain the water out and then fry it up with about half of the seasoning (Other seasoning would be fine too) & butter. A dash of sesame oil and soy sauce too, if available. If we have frozen peas or corn, I throw that in. If we have a slice or 2 of lunchmeat (diced) or any leftover meat I throw that it. Yum!

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by SimplyRochelle

Thanks. I can go out and buy probably $20 worth of groceries tomorrow so I'm trying to figure out what all I can get for super cheap.

i would say some dried lentils. You can make things like sloppy joe's but with sloppy lentils, soups, lentil loaf. I would stick to things like onions and carrots. Frozen chopped spinach is a great value, usually under a buck for a box. If you know how to make your own bread or tortillas you can do that for really cheap.

I make tons of different sauces/dressings if you have something in mind I can give you a recipe

[mumkimum]

I never use the packaged ramen flavors - my fave way is to add spike seasoning (or any other seasoning blend) and some sliced green onion, then maybe sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

You could possibly do poached eggs to toss in with the noodles too, if you like.

I've also made a tasty ramen-cabbage salad before. . . I often only need to make sure I get the cabbage and we usually have everything else on hand, so depending on your pantry it might work.

* cook and drain ramen noodles
* toast 2 tbsp sesame seeds and 1/2 c cashews or almonds - keep them separate, but they can be on the same baking sheet (10 min @ 300)
* shred 1 cabbage finely and slice 4 green onions. Toss with sesame seeds and noodles.
* make dressing with seasoning packet (or any other seasoning you prefer), 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 1/2 tbsp canola oil, 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil, white pepper, salt. Toss and garnish with cashews or almonds.

[Alyantavid]

I hate ramen noodles with a passion, so you're a better person than I am to eat them!

But dh's invented a few uses for them (he loves them). We add veggies and some soy sauce and any leftover meat and fry that all up.

My mom used to add veggies and browned hamburger. I'm not sure what she used for sauce though? I know she didn't use the packets.

As for other groceries, I'd add potatoes. You can buy a big bag for pretty cheap and use them lots of ways.

[mamakah]

I sautee frozen or fresh veggies in a bit of sesame oil, add the cooked noodles (drained). in a separate bowl I mix about 2 tbs of soy sauce, 1 tbs honey, and 1/4 cup of oyster or stir fry sauce. Pour over noodles and vegetables! top with sesame seeds. (this is a cheap dish I make for the fam for dinner sometimes, I use 4 ramen packets but throw away the seasonings. Whenever frozen veggies are on sale I buy the stir fry mix for this dish!)

[AFWife]

Add a fried egg (with whatever seasoning you like) to the finished ramen!