Quick Homemade Ramen

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 teaspoons grated ginger
• 4 teaspoons grated garlic
• 4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
• 4 cups water
• 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms
• 2 packages instant ramen (noodles only — discard the seasoning packet)
• ½ cup chopped scallions or chives
• 2 cups chopped kale (or spinach)
• 1 cup shredded carrots (or another vegetable like bok choy)
• Sriracha, to taste
• Crunchy golden panko crumbs, for topping (see notes)

Instructions

1. Bloom the aromatics — Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and ginger; stir-fry for 2 minutes or until soft and fragrant.
2. Build the broth — Add the broth and the water. Bring to a simmer; add the mushrooms and simmer for 10 minutes or until the mushrooms have softened and the broth is flavorful.
3. Cook the noodles — Add the instant noodles to the hot liquid and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until the noodles have softened. Add the scallions and stir to combine.
4. Finish and top — Remove from heat, stir in the kale and carrots, and top with crunchy panko crumbs (see notes) and a soft-boiled egg (optional). Season with chili oil, hot sauce, sesame oil, and/or soy sauce and salt to taste.

Notes

• Crunchy panko topping — Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add panko, stir for one minute or less until golden brown, then drain on paper towels. Alternatively, toss panko with a little oil and toast in the oven until golden and crispy.
• Soft-boiled egg — Boil water, add a fridge-cold egg with the lid on, and boil exactly 6 minutes. Plunge into an ice bath, peel, and halve for a jammy yolk.
• No dried shiitakes? — Fresh shiitakes work, or skip them and lean on extra soy sauce/miso for umami.
• Powdered broth — Works fine if that's all you have; skip the ramen seasoning packet and use any decent powdered soup base.
• Other vegetables — Spinach, bok choy, fresh mushrooms, corn, or nori all work well.
• Add protein — Shredded rotisserie chicken stirred in at the end, or shrimp simmered briefly in the broth.
• Topping ideas — Soft-boiled egg, sesame seeds, toasted sesame oil, chili oil, nori, gochujang, kimchi, sriracha, scallions.
• Watch the water ratio — Some readers prefer a heavier 6-cups-broth-to-2-cups-water ratio for a richer, less diluted flavor. Worth trying if your first pot tastes thin.

Tags: #recipe #noodles #ramen #asian #vegetarian #quick #weeknight #soup