Mom's Ramen

Comfort food at it's best!  Dad just can't make it the same way....

Ingredients:

Water
2 packages any flavor Ramen noodles
1/2 Tablespoon margarine or butter
Use only one of the included seasoning packets

Directions:

Fill medium saucepan about 1/2 way with water.  Break up ramen and place in saucepan.  Bring to a gentle boil.  As soon as the water begins to boil, stir the ramen to break up the noodles.  Remove from heat.  Drain, reserving approximately 1/3 cup of water.  return noodles and water to saucepan.  Stir in one seasoning packet and 1/2 Tablespoon of butter.  Serve.

Optional Ingredients:

If you would like to make this a healthy meal, add any (or all) of the following ingredients.
1 cup chopped or slivered leftover meat or chicken
1/2 to 1 cup of cubed tofu
1 cup leftover vegetables such as peas, corn, beans, etc
1/4 cup sliced peppers and onions
1 or 2 soft boiled eggs
1/4 to 1/2 cup any flavor broth

Come on .... this is a college food blog .... there HAD to be a Ramen recipe in here somewhere!

Nutella Cookies

Amazingly Good 4 Ingredient Cookies!

Ingredients:

1 Cup Nutella
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Cup flour
1 whole egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Blend all ingedients together well.  Mixture will be somewhat crumbly.  Form into 1″ balls.  Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper.  Press down firmly with the bottom of a glass.  Bake 7-8 minutes or until set.  Cool.  Enjoy!

*To make cookies stand up higher, refrigerate cookie balls for 1 hour before flattening and baking.  This will make your baked cookies deliciously chewie and thick.  

Brocoli Slaw

A vegetable meat eaters like!

Ingredients:

• 1 package shredded broccoli slaw
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (may use lime juice or water)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar or 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the broccoli , red pepper, parsley and green onion. In another bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; pour over slaw mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Toss before serving. Serve with a slotted spoon. 

Serves 6

Avocado Aioli

Great on Burgers, Sandwiches

....or as a dip for french fries

Ingredients:

1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

½ avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.  Use as you would mayonnaise in a variety of dishes.  Works particularly well with burgers, sandwiches, and grilled chicken or fish.

Storage Tip:

Refrigerate leftovers in a tightly sealed container with a freshly sliced piece of onion to prevent browning.

Easy Pasta Alfredo

Rich And Creamy!

Ingredients:

6 ounces fresh fettuccine or pasta of your choice
 OR 4 ounces dried pasta
3/4 cup heavy cream
2 Tablespoons lemon juice 
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Pinch ground nutmeg
Pinch (or 2 - to taste) white pepper
Sea salt to taste

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.  Drain

Stir cream and lemon juice in a skillet to blend.  Add butter and cook over medium heat about 3 minutes until the butter melts, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat.

Add the pasta to the cream mixture and toss to coat.  Add Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and nutmeg and toss.  Return the skillet to very low heat and stir continuously until the cheese is incorporated and the sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve hot.

Additions:

Great on its own or stir in chopped cooked chicken, baby shrimp, lightly steamed vegetables, or leftover meat/veggies to round out this dish!

Serves 2

Cake In A Cup

A Quick And Easy Treat!

Ingredients:

1/3 cup Cake In A Cup mix*
3 Tablespoons water
Cool Whip, chocolate sauce, or other desired topping.

Directions:

Spray a heavy mug with Pam or another cooking spray.  Put 1/3 cup of mix into cup.  Add water and mix well.  Microwave for 1 minute.

May be topped with Cool Whip, chocolate sauce, fruit, or any other topping or eaten plain.

Enjoy!

*Cake In A Cup Mix

1 box (Duncan Hines or other brand) Angel Food cake mix

1 box (same brand) any flavor cake mix

Thoroughly mix the 2 cake mixes together in a gallon size zip-loc bag.  Used as instructed above. Store remainder for future use.

Serves 1 

Guacamole

Simple and Good!

Ingredients:

2 to 3 Haas avocados
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 bunch cilantro, chopped or 
  2 Tablespoons prepared cilantro
1 to 2 minced jalapenos (to taste)
1 diced tomato
splash lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Cut avocados in half.  Remove pit and scoop out flesh.  Mash avocados with chopped onion, cilantro, and jalapenos.  Stir in tomato, lime juice and salt.  Serve with tortilla chips. 

Stir-Fried Spinach and Noodles

Ingredients:

3/4 pound fresh Chinese egg noodles
1 pound fresh spinach
4 scallions
1/3 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1 1" piece chopped fresh ginger, (2 teaspoons)
2 medium cloves garlic, crushed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.  Add noodles and simmer for 3 minutes.  Noodles should be soft but not sticky.  Drain.

Wash spinach, dry gently, and chop into small pieces.  Wash scallions, trim, and slice.  Mix sherry, soy sauce, and sugar together and set aside.

Heat oil in a wok or skillet and add scallions, ginger, and garlic.  Add spinach, and stir together.  Pour soy mixture on top.  Add noodles and stir fry for 2 minutes.  Add salt and pepper to taste and thoroughly mix together.  Serve warm.

Serves 4

Dad's Rotel Dip

Always A Hit!

Ingredients:

1 lb Velveeta cheese cut in 1 inch cubes1 can Rotel tomatoes & green chilies1/2 lb spicy cooked sausage crumbles1 bag tortilla chips

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat in microwave on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stopping microwave frequently to stir dip.  When cheese is melted, stir again to thoroughly combine.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Seven Layer Dip

An Easy Classic

Ingredients:

1 can of re-fried beans
8 oz. sour cream
8 oz. prepared guacamole
8 oz. salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar or cheddar jack cheese
1 bag of shredded lettuce
2 medium diced tomatoes
1 small can sliced black olives
1 bag tortilla chips

Directions:

In a glass pie dish, layer each ingredient.  To make individual servings, layer ingredients in small (4 to 8 ounce) plastic cups.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Yogurt Mint Sauce

Great With Any Lamb Dish!

Ingredients:

• 6 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 7 ounces Greek-style yogurt (recommended: Fage Total)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Place the scallions, mint, dill, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and lemon juice
in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and puree until it's a coarse paste. Add the yogurt, salt, and pepper and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop.

Asian Peanut Noodles

Serve Hot Or Cold!

Ingredients:

• 
  
• Kosher salt
• 4 ounces soba (buckwheat) noodles
• 1/3 cup natural crunchy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 to 2 teaspoons chili sauce (Sriracha)

Directions:

Boil a large pot of water. Add a pinch of salt and the noodles. Cook according to package directions, drain and rinse well.

Whisk peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce and chili sauce in a large bowl until smooth. Add the noodles and toss until well coated. 

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

If chilling noodles, toss with 1 to 2 tablespoons water to loosen them before serving.

Sprinkle with chopped salted peanuts and sliced green onions if desired.

Serves 2

Gnocchi With Zucchini Ribbons

Zucchini Is A Delicious Addition To Gnocchi!

Ingredients:


1 package gnocchi
2 Tablespoons butter
2 medium shallots, chopped
3 small zucchini cut into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

Cook gnocchi in boiling water according to package directions.  While gnocchi is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Cook until butter begins to brown, about 2 minutes.  Add shallots and zucchini and cook, stirring often, until softened - about 2 to 3 minutes.  Add tomatoes, salt, nutmeg, and pepper and continue cooking, stirring often, until the tomatoes are just starting to break down, 1 to 2 minutes.  Stir in parmesan cheese and parsley.  Add gnocchi and toss to coat.  Serve immediately.

Serves 4

White Bean And Caper Pasta

Cheap Food Fast!

Ingredients:

8 ounces angel hair or other pasta  noodles
1 large lemon, zested and juiced (2 teaspoons zest and 1/4 cup juice) 
1 teaspoon garlic pepper (use garlic powder and black pepper if you don't
have garlic pepper)
2 Tablespoons capers - rinsed
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 Tablespoons butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
*1 pound lightly wilted baby spinach

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.  (*If adding spinach, place raw spinach leaves in steamer basket over boiling pasta.  Remove from heat when spinach leaves are lightly wilted - about 2 minutes.)  Drain and set aside, keeping pasta warm.

While pasta is cooking, zest and juice the lemon.  You should have about 2 teaspoons of zest and 1/4 cup juice.  Heat butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Add lemon juice, zest and garlic pepper. Stir and cook until bubbling.  Stir in italian seasoning blend, beans, and capers and heat through (about 3 to 5 minutes). Salt and pepper as desired. Toss with pasta and serve.

Serves 4

Thai Noodle Bowl

Quick And Easy!

Ingredients:

4 ounces spaghetti or similar type of noodles
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1 1/2 Tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil - optional
1/4 cup edamame
5 ounces frozen stir fry vegetables

4 to 6 ounces of cubed tofu

sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 scallion, thinly sliced
Lime wedges

Directions:

In boiling water, cook pasta until al dente.  In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute peanut butter, lime juice, garlic, and ginger for 1 minute.  Add sesame oil if using, and saute 1 minute.  Add edamame and vegetables and cook until vegetables are tender and heated through, about 10 minutes.  If using protein, add to skillet when vegetables are partially cooked, approximately 5 minutes.  Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.  Pour over pasta and toss to thoroughly coat noodles.  Top with scallions and garnish with lime wedges.

Additions or Substitutions:

4 to 6 ounces of protein such as cooked chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork may be substituted for or added to tofu.

Serves 2

Sesame Green Beans

Veggies With An Asian Twist

Ingredients:

1/4 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
1 pinch of kosher salt
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sesame seeds, if desired

Directions:

Steam green beans un a steamer basket over a pan of boiling water.  Steam about 5 minutes or until a fork easily pierces the still beans.  Transfer to a serving bowl.  Toss with sesame oil and salt.  Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.  Serve warm.

Serves 1

Capicola Chips

Savory Snack!

Ingredients:

10 thin slices Sweet Capicola

Kosher salt

Directions:

Layer 3 paper towels on a microwave safe plate.  Lay capicola slices on paper towels and cover with 2 to 3 additional towels.  Microwave on high 1 minute.  You should hear capicola sizzle while microwaving.  Check capicola slices and continue to microwave 15 to 45 seconds in 15 second intervals.  Chips are done when capicola is crispy and takes on an appearance similar to cooked bacon. Lightly salt while still warm.  Serve along with crackers, cheese, and olives.

Serves 2 to 3