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July 31, 2007
Ramen - It's Not Just for College Kids Anymore
My mother and younger sister recently made a visit to my oldest sister in London. They brought me back a most fantastical gift - the Wagamama Cookbook!!! Oh delicious Wagamama... your closest location right now is Boston. Which I suppose is closer than the pond jump, but still...
So in order to properly satisfy my Ramen cravings, I have to make it myself. And I'm not talking that $.59 package you get at Food Kitty - no, I'm talking about a REAL MEAL!!!!
Last night was a Ramenture (Ramen + Adventure). First the prep - on Sunday I went to the Tan-A-Supermarket and acquired some vital ingredients - the Ramen noodles themselves, Chicken Stock cubes, and canned Bamboo Shoots. The Asian grocery store was quite an experience - they don't take Visa! I was all set to buy some bowls and other fun stuff, but I was thwarted by only have a $10 in my wallet. It was also weird to see live Tilapia swimming about as if they were Lobsters. Mmm....Lobsters.
Then I went to Kroger to acquire the rest of the ingredients, which had varying degrees of success. After confirming that the vegetable I picked up was in fact a Leek ("Excuse me, is this a Leek?" "Of course that's a Leek!") I next went to find Spring Onions. Except I forgot exactly what Spring Onions were (and yet I can still remember the last Federalist candidate for President (Rufus T. King in 1840)). So I bought a White Onion instead. Whoops! And who knew Kroger didn't carry Ginger Root?
Last night I got home from band practice, and it was time to make some Ramen. I opted for the Chicken Ramen recipe, as it seemed the easiest to make. I fully intended to document the whole process here with pictures. All I managed to photograph was the cookbook on my counter, and I haven't even downloaded that picture so I can't even show you!
The stock cooked faster than I anticipated - I was supposed to just bring it to a boil and then serve, but instead I had to reduce it to a simmer and then bring it back to a boil. It was still delicious.
Ramen noodles don't stick to the fridge when you throw them to check for done-ness. This is a good thing to know. Julius also discovered this as he quickly snapped up dropped noodle (he also imbibed some Leek which I accidentally dropped and some chicken which I "accidentally" dropped).
Always pre-heat the Foreman Grill at the beginning. Always. Otherwise it throws your cooking times off.
Party potato-chip bowls make an excellent giant Ramen bowl.
Apparently you can freeze the uneaten portion! I now have tasty Ramen in the freezer!!! WOOO!!!!
Tonight's cooking will be decided less adventurous, but hopefully quite tasty nonetheless.
Posted by MikeSager at July 31, 2007 11:30 AM
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Comments
Plus, you know, you've got that *other* sister who actually lives up there. I'm just saying...
Posted by: Older Sister #2 at August 1, 2007 3:01 PM
I'll visit, I'll visit - I PROMISE!!! Sorry...
I'd love to bring Julius, but I fear for the battle between him and Napoleon.
Posted by: Carpetblogger at August 1, 2007 3:09 PM
Ah, you know it's okay. Take your time. After all, I haven't been to *your* neck of the woods since you moved there, so I really haven't a leg to stand on.
Napoleon would probably just hide under the couch until Julius leaves. Or I'd just shut him in the bathhroom (the kitty, not the puppy. Napoleon likes the bathroom.)
Posted by: Older Sister #2 at August 1, 2007 10:24 PM
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