Because the climate cools down, there may be nonetheless so much to stay up for at camp, like cooking heat consolation meals to take pleasure in by the hearth. Soups, pasta, and stews are on the menu. However my favourite cold-weather camp meal by far is ramen.
“Ramen, ラーメン, is a Japanese phrase that means pulled noodles, and usually is a kind of wheat noodle in broth. However ramen flavors and substances differ extensively throughout Japan and China (the place the dish additionally has origins).
You don’t want a lot to make an epic bowl of ramen — simply take into account the basics of noodles, veggies, protein, and broth. And since many of the dish could be cooked in a single pot, it’s the right factor to make in smaller kitchens, when on the street, or on the campground. Plus, everybody can customise their very own bowl with toppings.
Listed below are 5 substances that may improve your ramen from packet to plate each time. The bottom recipe is beneath — all you have to do is select your toppings.
Vegetable Add-ins:
- Bok Choy Bok choy is a scrumptious inexperienced filled with nutritional vitamins. All you have to do to organize it, is slice length-wise, and toss into the new broth for a couple of minutes to cook dinner. Plus, this nutrient-rich veggie retains properly for days in a cooler.
- Nori Sheets of nori, or seaweed snacks, are simple to search out in most shops. Seize a knife, slice into squares, and add to the bowl proper earlier than serving, so as to add an additional wealthy, umami taste.
- Caramelized onions Onions are such a sturdy and versatile vegetable that you just’re positive to have on had already. Carmelizing them takes your ramen to the subsequent degree. I like to recommend a white onion, not candy. Slice it up small and throw it in a pan with oil or butter for a couple of minutes till tender and golden, earlier than including it in to your soup.
Picture credit score: Mary Murphy
Protein Upgrades:
- Fried Egg Historically, ramen might have a soft-boiled egg, which requires salting the water, boiling, soaking in an ice bathtub, then fastidiously peeling. As an alternative, a scrambled or fried egg in a pan works simply as properly so as to add some protein to any bowl! Insider tip: When you’re afraid of your eggs breaking in your cooler, you may all the time pre crack your eggs right into a Tupperware for brief journeys!
- Tofu (included in base recipe) I by no means go with out tofu in my ramen as a result of it’s such a simple topping. Tofu additionally doesn’t all the time should be refrigerated (it’s bought in shelf-stable containers). The trick is to purchase agency tofu, and cube into small squares so it cooks properly and there’s a lot in each chew. Add it on to your broth after the noodles cook dinner; it’s also possible to brown the tofu in a pan in case you are cooking different toppings.
Bonus: Recent Chopped Scallions
Don’t skimp on the ultimate touches! Inexperienced onions or scallions will jazz up any bowl. Particularly for youths who might not like different veggies (mushrooms, and many others.), that is a simple add-in which doesn’t require any further cooking and provides nice texture and taste.
Home made ramen, upgraded from the packet with bok choy, tofu, caramelized onions, and chili. Picture credit score: Mary Murphy
Primary Campsite Ramen Recipe (feeds 2-3 folks):
2 packets on the spot ramen noodles (select any taste), together with spice packet
4 cups boiling water
1 block tofu, diced
Sprint of soy sauce
1 tablespoon miso paste
Excessive-protein model: stir in a tablespoon of bone broth or bouillon base for additional protein
Chili crisp oil or sriracha for spice, to style
+Select 2-3 Ingredient Upgrades from the checklist
Technique: Prepare dinner in keeping with packet directions, including in additional water for the broth, earlier than including in toppings of selection. Most variations could be cooked with one pot and pan. Add remaining touches like salt, pepper, chili oil, sesame seeds, and many others. on the finish. Serve scorching.
I’ve made numerous variations on my ramen recipe when tenting as a result of it’s so good. Just lately, I’ve even switched from on the spot noodle packets to thicker, udon wheat noodles (one other wonderful swap). After attempting ramen with these ingredient upgrades, you’ll by no means knock on the spot noodles once more!
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