Ramen is probably on of the cheapest foods you can buy at an American grocery store. For ten cents you have some noodle soup to eat but it sure doesn't offer much in the realm of nutrition. In fact the amount of sodium in those little flavor packets it pretty ridiculous. So if you are just making the soup I try and use half a packet.
But it's so easy to get some of the stuff you need to stave off scurvey into that bad boy. A bag of frozen mixed veggies can often be found for a dollar. Just toss in some while you are cooking and suddenly you have vitamins and fiber. I like peas and carrots. Some people also put in an egg which will get you some protein and healthy fat. Be creative, there are lot's of ways to make something as simple as a 10 cent pack of ramen into something more delicious and slightly nutritious.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Cooking Potatoes in the Microwave Instead of the Oven
A bag of potatoes is only about $2 and there are all sorts of fun things you can make with just potatoes and maybe a little butter, salt and pepper. Hash browns for breakfast is a recipe I have yet to perfect and french fries in a pan I am getting even closer to perfecting but the easiest and way to take a potato and make it delicious is to microwave it. Making a baked potato in the oven usually takes more than an hour so I like to make them in the microwave. Most people don't believe me when I say they are just as good as one done in the oven until they try it.
The whole process is pretty simple. Wash the potatoes and cut off any undesired parts then poke a few holes in them. Personally I like to use a fork instead of a knife and poke each potato about 4 times per side. That gets a pretty even distribution and allows some of the heat to escape. If you don't poke holes in them you will sometime have a potato explode, which is pretty hilarious but it's not quite as tasty.
After that it's as easy as wrapping them in wet paper towels and cooking for a few minutes. The hardest part is getting a good estimation of how long they take to cook. A 1000 watt microwave is going to work a lot faster than a something you pick up for 5 bucks at a garage sale. Plus you can buy potatoes at the store that are no bigger than an egg. At the same time some of those russets big enough to feed more than one person. The key is to wait until they are tender to the touch (be careful it will be hot) and then let them sit in the microwave for another few minutes to continue cooking.
If you where a bit premature pulling them out it's OK. After you cut it open and put some butter on it feel free to nuke it a bit longer. A little salt and pepper and you are in business.
If you need to fill your stomach on a budget and you only have a few minutes then here is a good solution. Try and make it for you friends and family, I bet they won't be able to tell the difference between these and the ones painstakingly made in the oven. If you want the skin to be a little crispy like when they are baked in the oven then I suggest popping it in the oven for 5 minutes after you cook it in the microwave. Personally for me I just use the potato as a vessel for awesome toppings so that is the most important part.
The whole process is pretty simple. Wash the potatoes and cut off any undesired parts then poke a few holes in them. Personally I like to use a fork instead of a knife and poke each potato about 4 times per side. That gets a pretty even distribution and allows some of the heat to escape. If you don't poke holes in them you will sometime have a potato explode, which is pretty hilarious but it's not quite as tasty.
After that it's as easy as wrapping them in wet paper towels and cooking for a few minutes. The hardest part is getting a good estimation of how long they take to cook. A 1000 watt microwave is going to work a lot faster than a something you pick up for 5 bucks at a garage sale. Plus you can buy potatoes at the store that are no bigger than an egg. At the same time some of those russets big enough to feed more than one person. The key is to wait until they are tender to the touch (be careful it will be hot) and then let them sit in the microwave for another few minutes to continue cooking.
If you where a bit premature pulling them out it's OK. After you cut it open and put some butter on it feel free to nuke it a bit longer. A little salt and pepper and you are in business.
Potatoes don't offer much in the realm of nutrition, but they are extremely cheap. If you are looking for something to add I would suggest some diced ham for protein. Chopping up some broccoli and putting it on top is also a delicious addition. One of my favorite things to to is add chopped broccoli and the some cheese on top. Of course you could always go with the classics like sour cream and bacon bits.
If you need to fill your stomach on a budget and you only have a few minutes then here is a good solution. Try and make it for you friends and family, I bet they won't be able to tell the difference between these and the ones painstakingly made in the oven. If you want the skin to be a little crispy like when they are baked in the oven then I suggest popping it in the oven for 5 minutes after you cook it in the microwave. Personally for me I just use the potato as a vessel for awesome toppings so that is the most important part.
Please enjoy this tasty treat next time you have some potatoes that need to be eaten.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Hello there, I am really into cooking and am always trying to teach my friends. But sometimes people don't want to learn advanced culinary technique, they just want to feed themselves.
I can relate, when I was just getting started on my own I didn't know how to make much more than a stir fry but with the help of the vast resources on the internet I learned a lot of fun ways to fill up my belly. In those days I had very little money, so making ramen with an egg was a great way to only spend 50 cents on something that at least has a little protein.
I can relate, when I was just getting started on my own I didn't know how to make much more than a stir fry but with the help of the vast resources on the internet I learned a lot of fun ways to fill up my belly. In those days I had very little money, so making ramen with an egg was a great way to only spend 50 cents on something that at least has a little protein.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)