Sometimes convenience foods are ... convenient. This handy little package of dried noodles in my pantry has been the start of many fast meals. You may use the brand you prefer.

Package and contents - For a healthier meal, only use half the seasoning packet and a splash of soy sauce to adjust the salt level.


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I haven't been a university student in a LONG time but I have been known to buy the occasional package (or six) of those instant ramen noodles for single serving soup or just to use the noodles inside for some other dish. Like these ramen burger buns or as a side (dragon noodles) for chicken patties.


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In a recent search through the freezer I ran across a single serving of velveted beef, broccoli and mushrooms which I transformed into a filling pot of noodle soup ... enough for three servings.  Although I already had the seasoned beef and vegetables, I've included a recipe (found online) for cooking the beef and mushroom mixture from scratch. If ( Read more... )

Kung Pao chicken is a classic Szechuan dish, but I had a two pound piece of pork tenderloin in the freezer, that I wanted to use up, so I switched things up a bit. The other elements were still there including the hot chili and crunchy peanuts, even if I forgot to add the latter to the dish, until I was almost finished devouring my first bowl.


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For anyone wishing to try Japanese dishes, yet not fond of sushi, the recipe below is simple and requires few specialized ingredients. It is the first of two or three posts I will be making on this theme.

Dried ramen noodle soup packages may be used for more than just cheap university food. I found the recipe for this Cheeseburger ramen on the ( Read more... )

Rarely have I made a dish that was as satisfying in the preparation as it was in tasting the finished product.

Chicken and dumplings is a hearty comfort dish ... a glorious chicken stew with a creamy texture filled with tender shredded chicken and vegetables. The 'dumplings' may be either drop biscuits, which I've made before, or rolled noodles. ( Read more... )

I'm cooking more dishes for one or two these days, rather than pots of 'stuff'. This black pepper shrimp makes a fast work day supper served over plain rice or noodles.

Black Pepper Shrimp with Udon Noodles


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Cooking for one (or two) means you often have leftovers from things you've thawed. In this case, I had a cup or so of diced ham from a 2 cup bag I'd frozen for soup. (I used the other cup for a broccoli, cheddar cheese and ham quiche.)


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This is another reason that my freezer keeps filling up, in spite of my attempts to clean it out ( Read more... )

Sometimes I run across recipes posted in the blogs I subscribe to that I have to make ASAP because they look and sound amazing.

Like this Cheese Spaetzle from Masala Herb.


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