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Ramen Hacks: 30+ Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Noodles. SLIDESHOW: Ramen Hacks: 30+ Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Noodles [Photographs: J.

Ramen Hacks: 30+ Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Noodles

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.

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. * Our membership is pretty thin right now—care to join? Simple Add-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.

The Hazel Bloom: The Best Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Ever

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!

Macaroni & Cheese. There’s nothing that can be said.

Macaroni & Cheese

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. Cruft: Lasagna Cupcakes. When Intelligentsia Coffee opened in Pasadena recently, I was intrigued the lasagna cupcakes they served.

Cruft: Lasagna Cupcakes

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. 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. I baked them for 20 minutes at 375° F and then come out perfectly browned. You can do pretty much anything you want as filling from more meats to a vegan version. How to Make Crêpes Without a Crêperie. A brief tutorial on how to make crêpes at home, no crêperie required.

How to Make Crêpes Without a Crêperie

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. 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. Slide the crêpes into a flat pile and let them cool a bit while you repeat the process and make more crêpes. And that’s it. If you’re wondering, no, I still have not been to France, nor have I ventured to Australia.