Ode to RAMEN (recipe included)!

Yesterday morning as I was commuting, I picked up my daily AM New York (I like it better than the Metro. It's more pop-culturie- and yes, "pop-culturie" is a word. I just made it one.) and happened upon an article about the economy and ramen. It is the ultimate cheap meal ranging from 10c to 70c for a basic package. ("Gourmet" ramen can get as high as $4.50. At least that I've seen.)



Since, I am very, very impressionable, throughout my day, all I could think about was how I wanted Ramen. Hence, on the way home I picked up some Ramen. The article I read that morning gave recipes (I kid you not) on how to make gourmet Ramen with non-dehydrated ingredients. However, I just didn't have the energy to make the actual recipes, so instead I've complied a list for you of things that I like to add to my Ramen (and they're cheap!).

• Bac-Os- faux bacon bits: Just what you need added to your Ramen- more salt, but these yummy little pieces of faux bacon made of soy are just soy delicious! (Okay, so maybe not as great as real bacon, but come on, I'm a vegetarian. I like to pretend.)
• Scallions- they add mild onion-like flavor and some light greenery to your dish (Thus, making it seem good for you.) and are cheap! (I bought a bunch for 25c, tax included.)
• Carrots- add some orange, get better vision (or night vision).
• Plain Yogurt- to give your broth a little more depth. (And calicum-duh!)
• Hot Sauce- to give it a little kick. Again tons of salt, tons of spice. (just how I like it!)
  

And as an added bonus, I decided to include my own Ramen Recipe....

Okra Chaat Masala Ramen

1. Start boiling water in a small sauce pan.
   
2. In a frying pan, lightly saute 1/4 of the bag of Okra in a little oil.
   
3. Boil the noodles in the sauce pan.
4. Add Chaat Masala Spice to the Okra and stir till fully coated and you can smell the ingredients mixing together.
   
5. Strain and place the ramen in a big bowl.
   
6. Add the Okra Chaat Masala on top the Ramen.
   
7. Add Scallions or Plain Yogurt to garnish.
   
8. Eat.
9. Repeat if you find it delicious and a bit sassalicious.

So basically my point is (did I have one to begin with) is that Ramen used as directed is for college. Ramen with a little somethin' extra is the grown-up version of something cheap and easy! As Mary says in 3 Men and a Little Lady (one of my fav movies from childhood), "Try it. You'll like it."