Collegiate Times

Known as the ?student?s meal? in Japan, Ramen noodles just might be the most nutritious meal Virginia Tech students can find under a dollar. Traditionally, this simple meal is used as a main dish with a ?just add water? simplicity that gives plain ramen noodles a salty chicken, beef or vegetable flavor.

The popularity of Ramen has sparked many college wanna-be chefs to experiment with the inexpensive noodles. This curiosity has led to a wide variety of new recipes and has even influenced a few popular cookbooks. With a few extra ingredients and a little time, ramen can be the key ingredient in absolutely everything from early morning breakfast to a late-night dessert.

The beauty of Ramen noodles is their cost. When first created to help feed Chinese citizens affected by World War II, it turned into an instant hit. The popularity of the dish led it to be voted the most influential ?made in Japan? product of 20th-century life, according to the Fuji Research Institute Corporation. That?s above CDs, video games and sushi.

According to the Japan Convenience Foods Industry Association, there are over 980 brands of Ramen noodles, and if you have been to the local Kroger or Walmart, you?ll get a nice variety of just a few of those brands. Next time you?re there, load up on a few different types of Ramen noodles, and don?t follow the directions. Instead, try your hand at one of these recipes, find a new one of your own or experiment.

Ramen-O?s (from Mattfischer.com)

Ingredients

2 packages of Ramen Noodles

1 can tomato soup

Hot Sauce

Shredded Cheese

Break noodles into quarters, place in pot. Add enough water to almost cover the noodles. Boil until almost all the water is gone, stirring the noodles often. (Or just cook the noodles and strain, it just makes more dirty dishes.) Add one seasoning packet and can of soup, stir, then add hot sauce and/or cheese to taste.

Ramen Pancakes (from Everybody Loves Ramen: Recipes, Stories, Games, & Fun Facts About the Noodles You Love, by Eric Hites)

Ingredients

1 carrot

1 package ramen noodles

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

3 tablespoons butter

cracked pepper

garnish

1. Grate the carrot with a cheese grater.

2. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain.

3. Toss the noodles, carrot, and cheese together in a bowl.

4. Melt the butter in a frying pan.

5. Shape the mixture into small pancake-like patties.

6. Fry the patties till browned lightly on each side.

7. Serve with the cracked pepper and garnish.

Cinnamon Snack Mix (from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

5 cups honey graham cereal

3 cups bear-shaped graham cookies

2 cups ramen noodles, crushed

3/4 cup sliced almonds

1 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon orange juice

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, mix honey graham cereal, bear-shaped graham cookies, ramen noodles, almonds, and golden raisins.

3. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter, and blend in honey and orange juice. Spread over the honey graham cereal mixture, and toss to coat.

4. Spread mixture onto a large baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes in the preheated oven.