We are on a budgeting adventure at my house! It is a real challenge. We are experimenting with living without cable TV and some other things previously considered necessities (like fewer gigs of phone data). It is definitely a new adventure. Now, mind you, we aren’t going without TV type entertainment, oh no. We have a Fire Stick, Netflix and Sling TV instead, which is saving us about $120 per month. The greatest part (if you ask me)? All of the new and different food shows!!! Which brings us to this recipe for Easy Noodle Bowl! I have been binging on Ramen Noodle Stories! Of course, I am no Ramen aficionado- I certainly ate enough Ramen in college to last a lifetime – but now I am suddenly CRAVING RAMEN!! I thought I could come up with something to satisfy my craving and as it turns out, YOU can too – with what you already have in your kitchen probably!
For the recipe seekers – here is your recipe – right up on top. However, I encourage you to read the tips and tricks section – because that is where the real “meat” of the recipe is. As for anyone left reading, my dear friend, I hope you will join me after the recipe and the photos for some talk about easy noodle bowl s and I hope you will share your thoughts with me.
THE RECIPE FOR EASY NOODLE BOWL
Easy Noodle Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Cup of cooked Ramen type noodles or rice noodles
- 1 cup of Chicken Broth
- 2 tbs sesame oil
- 1 carrot sliced - ¼ inch coin shaped slices
- ½ half chicken breast - 1 inch cubes
- 4 baby bella mushrooms - thin slices
- ½ Cup fresh spinach leaves
- sesame seeds for garnish
- soy sauce to taste
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, heat the ramen noodles and the chicken broth over medium heat.
- In a frying pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat on the stove top until the surface appears wrinkly. Add the carrot, chicken and mushrooms all at once, stir frequently. Salt and pepper to taste. When the chicken appears to be nearly cooked through (about 3-4 minutes), add the spinach leaves and allow them to wilt.
- By the time the spinach is wilted, the broth and noodles should be hot. Add noodles to a bowl, add chicken, mushrooms, carrot and spinach to a bowl and top with broth to desired amount. Garnish with sesame seeds and add soy sauce to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR EASY NOODLE BOWL
- In case you are wondering where the step by step photos are? I forgot to take any. Sorry! I am sure that you can imagine what this looks like. You have to forgive me, we were without internet for over 24 hours due to a big storm and not only did we not have any digital entertainment for an entire day, I couldn’t do any food blogging or social networking and I believe it I must have also short circuited my brain!
- Do you know how to make your own broth? It is super easy but I know that many folks aren’t very confident in the kitchen. Perhaps I’ll do a broth recipe here in the next few weeks. The basics are: Fill a large pot with water about ¾ full. ( a 3-6 quart large sauce pot). Add 1 tbs salt and 2 tsp pepper. Add some scrap meat and bone – it can be anything really – beef, chicken, pork – a mixture – whatever you have. This dish was made with some frozen chicken backs I had from the last time I bought whole chicken. Then add a few veggies – don’t go to a big problem cleaning them – just rinse them and cut them into some manageable chunks and throw them in. I use an onion quartered – don’t even bother taking all the skin off or the little rooty thing on the bottom, just peel off the loose hanging skin. A head of garlic – same thing – don’t worry with the skin – just cut it in half and throw it in. 3-4 sticks of celery – just rinse good – cut into chunks and throw it in – for heaven’s sakes, don’t throw the tops away – throw those in the pot too. A carrot or two – rinse and cut into 3-4 inch chunks. Now bring that to a boil and then reduce to a simmer (on low). We DO NOT want the chicken bubbling around in there furiously – just a nice hot bath – if it bubbles furiously – your broth will be cloudy – still tastes good – just not as pretty. When the meat is falling off of the bone, it is done. Carefully dip the chicken and veggies out of the broth and discard. Then dip out the broth with a large ladle and strain through a small strainer or cheesecloth. (To get the sediment out). You can use right away or save for later. If you save it – some fat will collect on the top as it cools – just spoon this off. I used mine right away. This is a simple Saturday morning recipe that will have you set for broth for a week if you save it in the fridge – or you can freeze it and it will last for 6 months. You can can it and it will last for a long long time!
- You can certainly use store bought broth for this recipe, but it won’t be as flavorful.
- You can use ANY veggies or meats you want in this recipe. You could even use rice. That is the beauty of an easy noodle bowl – it is entirely dependent on what you have in your fridge. Perhaps it is just stuff you want to use up. That is certainly the case in the recipe you see here today – I had a single chicken breast in the freezer, a little bit of fresh spinach in the crisper, 4 eggs, a half package of baby bella mushrooms, 1 carrot – get the idea?
- I happen to have an opened package of these rice noodles. You might not have that – it is fine to use something else – white rice, brown rice, a package of actual ramen noodles, zucchini noodles even spaghetti noodles – you be the king of your Easy Noodle Bowl! Try it – what’s it going to hurt? The worst that can happen is that you might not like it. Just pick things that you like and that you think will taste good together – it should work!
OTHER THINGS BESIDES EASY NOODLE BOWL
I won’t bend your ear for too long, but I just want to say, if you haven’t been without the TV and without an internet connection for more than 10 minutes in a while, I recommend giving it a go.
Do you know what happened around here while ours was out? My daughter and her friends left the house and went hiking on a beautiful afternoon at our local WONDERFUL state park. I played with the dog, cleaned the kitchen and then went to bed very early and got some much needed sleep. Sweet hubby and I talked. I think he went to bed early too, but I’m not really sure because I was already snoozing.
All I am saying is every once in awhile give yourself a moment away. You will enjoy it.
Now, about those Ramen shows that I have been binging on. Seriously, if you have Netflix, check out some of the cooking shows on the nights that you aren’t unplugging. 🙂 So tell me, when was the last time you unplugged? What did you do? Was it panic or was it ok? Do you have a favorite show? Network? Netflix? Cable? I love these kinds of questions….. Give me a shout out in the comment section and tell me all about it! I love comments and I promise to answer.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23
Moxie
Friday 2nd of February 2018
So delicious!
Moxie
Friday 2nd of February 2018
What could be better than this?
Bernie~A Gouda Life
Tuesday 8th of March 2016
Sure doesn't look like a budget meal Wendi ~ just every bite delicious ~ and that's what it's all about, right? We cut our cable almost one year ago (and survived!) after cable rates had become so ridiculously high I'm embarrassed to share the amount. Now we only have internet and Netflix and honestly, we don't miss it cable bit. Hope you're not only surviving but thriving since cutting that umbilical cord! Great recipe ~ and story!
Wendi Spraker
Tuesday 8th of March 2016
Hi Bernie! Thanks for the supportive comment! We are thriving too! We are finding that we are being much more intentional about our TV watching - that is a good thing. I have started tuning in my podcasts more - I LOVE podcasts - but that is another story! You are right - a terrific Ramen bowl is not a budget meal - it is a TERRIFIC meal! I think we are not the only cord cutters - judging by the line at the cable office when we returned the boxes. Any other great money saving ideas Bernie?
Mary
Saturday 27th of February 2016
Ramen noodles...what memories!! My kids loved those things, and I did too. This noodle bowl looks like a great recipe for cold winter days. Love the broth recipe (thanks). Had to laugh at the onion tip. I'll never look at an onion without thinking of loose skin & rooty thing. Who knew recipes could be so entertaining! I needed that laugh..thank you very much! Great that this is such a versatile recipe. Pinned.
Wendi Spraker
Monday 29th of February 2016
Mary! I just now saw this comment! I have a giveaway running on another page and my message notifications fill up with people leaving a comment to enter the giveaway. I apologize! I always try to answer comments right away - except, of course, on the giveaways. lol. Because I could never keep up with that. I love Ramen too - again - as it turns out. I have been so amazed by the care and love that goes into making original "REAL" Ramen. Yes, of course, you know onions - always with the loose skin and rooty thing. :) I'm glad you found a laugh! I love to laugh - what would life be without laughing? No fun. That's what. :)