Ramen Hacks: 30+ Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Noodles. SLIDESHOW: Ramen Hacks: 30+ Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Noodles [Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt] Ramen in the U.S. has come a long way. Once known only in its 10-for-a-dollar instant-lunch form—a staple of offices and dorm rooms all around the '80s and '90s—high-end real ramen shops are springing up left and right on both coasts and everywhere in between. As a half-Japanese kid in the '80s, I grew up eating instant ramen at least once a week, and it still holds a special place in my gut. The real stuff is great, but sometimes only the add-hot-water pack will do.
That said, my tastes have changed and expanded considerably over the years, and sometimes that little flavoring packet just isn't enough. As a card-carrying member of the Ramen Transmogrification Society of Greater New York,* it is my duty, my honor, and my privilege to share with you some of our methods and recipes. For full, step-by-step instructions on any of these dishes, please click through the slideshow above. Mix-ins. The Hazel Bloom: The Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Ever. I can say this is the best macaroni and cheese recipe ever because it's not really my recipe. I tweaked it a tiny bit - basically made it even more fattening - but otherwise, it's someone else's.
It's from someone named Bev, who posted her recipe on Recipezaar and to whom I am eternally grateful. See, macaroni and cheese is pretty much my all-time favorite food. Always has been. Cases in point: One of my first-ever memories is of sitting down in front of the TV with a bowl full of macaroni and cheese and watching Emergency! I should probably stop there. So back to Bev. Bev is probably totally creeped out now too. I'm a total freakfest today.
Oh - and this recipe is great with many noodles other than macaroni (like penne, yum!) Okay, I'm shutting up now. (Conchiglie pasta - this organic Montebello stuff is out of this world:) Here's the recipe! Adapted from the Bev's Macaroni and Cheese recipe on Recipezaar Serves 5 - 6 Ingredients 8 oz. to 10 oz. macaroni or other pasta (like conchiglie!) Macaroni & Cheese. There’s nothing that can be said. But there is much to be eaten. Come, my child…come. I shall take you by the hand and take you where you need to go. I shall show you the food that is solely responsible for my bones and tissues multiplying and growing at a young age. It’s macaroni and cheese. And it’s the only food I consumed until I was about fourteen years old. Come…come, my child. I shall show you the way. Elbow macaroni. You’ll need butter. And just note that I pretty much never use unsalted butter except for a few select baking recipes.
All-purpose flour. WHOLE MILK. Dry mustard. 1 egg. And cheese. But today, it’s all cheddar, all the time. Cook 4 cups dried macaroni until it’s very “al dente”. Nutshell: Undercook the macaroni! Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk the egg. Add a good teaspoon or so of salt to the water. Now, in a large saucepan or dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup (1/2 stick OR 4 tablespoons) butter. Sprinkle in an equal amount (4 tablespoons) flour. Whisk it together… Cruft: Lasagna Cupcakes. When Intelligentsia Coffee opened in Pasadena recently, I was intrigued the lasagna cupcakes they served. The cupcakes are made by Heirloom LA, a catering business. About the size of a muffin, a single lasagna cupcake was a delicious meal. After seeing how much my daughter enjoyed them (she ate my entire cupcake and I had to order a second one), I decided I had to try making them at home. After a bit of research, here is my method. The girls love them and take them to school as lunch.
The ingredients are fairly simple. Mozzarella, Ricotta, and Parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, meat (if you so desire), and wonton/gyoza wrappers. Spray or wipe the cupcake tin with olive oil for prevent sticking and add a little flavor. Once you filled in the first layer, gently press another wrapper in, forming another cup. Once you've placed the second wrapper, repeat the filling as you see fit. A bit of Mozzarella cheese on top of it all. The small cupcake size works well for us. How to Make Crêpes Without a Crêperie. A brief tutorial on how to make crêpes at home, no crêperie required. Just you, your stove and a bit of batter and you’ll have a plate full of thin pancakes in no time at all. I’ve always wanted to live abroad, even if just for a short time. While the dream of leaving and exploring was there, the reality was and is that I remain fully rooted in the Midwest.In college I was a single parent.
In order to declare my Spanish major, I had to get the mandatory study abroad waived. Rather than live somewhere new and explore, I sat in my apartment and cooked, dreaming of leaving. I volunteered at an ESL school teaching English instead.One of my younger sisters, Rachel, lived in France for a year. Last year my youngest brother spent the year in Australia and Thailand. To the eggs and milk, add in flour, melted butter and a bit of salt. When it’s time to cook, heat a pan with rounded edges over medium-high heat. Cook the crêpe for 30 seconds or so. And that’s it. Copyright © Food for My Family.