Big Lebowski Style Ramen

        DUDE DOES RAMEN Ramen, another Bedrock of “Dude Cookery.” Ramen, quite a lot has been written, on the subject of Ramen, it’s “One dam Great invention that Millions of College Students over the years would agree with. Ramen is also a favorite of those with limited means, and folks on a tight budget. Ramen wasn’t around that much way back when our hero The Dude was going to college, so he didn’t partake or Abide in “The Ramen” back then. You can bet your sweet bippy though, if Ramen was around and popular back then, Ramen would have been a major player in the Dudes College Diet along with canned Tuna, Chili, and Spaghetti. The Dude however and for the past 15 years or so, has embraced Ramen and its varied uses in quite a big way. Dude likes Ramen for its Thrifty Cost, Ease and Quickness of preparation. Dude usually whips up a Ramen Meal in about 10 minutes or less. Dude likes that. He also likes the versatility of Ramen and the cool packaging, and the Dude always keeps his cupboard packed with Ramen that he gets at some large discount chain for about 6 packs for $1.00 .. Not Bad! Dude says besides cans of Tuna, he always has Ramen, Eggs, and a can of Spam on hand, so if the frig and the rest of his cupboard is bare, he can whip up some dry seasoned Ramen, a couple slices of Spam and a Fried Egg or two and he’s set 1, 2, Three! COOKING RAMEN Cooking Ramen Noodles is one of the simplest things one could ever wish to do, just follow the instructions on the back of the package. Actually there are two main ways to cook and serve Ramen Noodles. One way to cook Ramen Noodles is as a soup, which is the way they are mainly intended. You place a couple cups of water into a pot. Bring the water to the boil, add the seasoning contents from the small flavor packet in the package, add the noodles and let boil for 3 minutes. Your Ramen Noodle Soup is ready to eat. The Ramen is fine like this, but if you want a bit of a better meal, you can throw in any kind of fresh vegetable (Bok Choy, Broccoli, Carrots, etc..) that you have blanched beforehand. The second method is to cook the Ramen Noodles either in seasoned (from the flavor packet) or un-seasoned boiling water for three minutes, then draining the noodles in a colander or wire-basket and serving them dry.  Once the noodles have been drained from the water or broth, you put them on a plate and season them to give them flavor. Many will reserve just a little water (2 tablespoons) and toss the water with about half of the seasonings from the flavor packet and they are ready to eat. Dudes favorite way to prepare and eat Ramen Noodles is to cook the noodles in boiling water that has been seasoned with the whole contents of the flavor packet for 3 minutes, then draining the noodles to dry. The Dude then places the noodles on a plate, sprinkles on a little salt, about a tablespoon of Sesame Oil (Great Flavor), then he hits it with one of his favorite Hot Sauces such as; Sriracha, Louisiana Hot Sauce, Crystal, or Tabasco. This preparation is absolutely delicious on its own. Dude eats it all the time; 2 or 3 times a week for a breakfast of Ramen and Eggs. The Dude often eats Ramen for lunch with one or two fried eggs that are seasoned with salt and pepper or with Maggie’s Sauce, “Yum!” Besides eating Ramen Noodles for Breakfast or Lunch and occasionally dinner, The Dude often has a serving of Ramen in-between meals when he gets hungry. They are quick (just 3 minutes) and easy and just the right size. A portion of Ramen Noodles on their own with nothing else on the plate is enough to satisfy your hunger so that hungry feeling disappears and you are satisfied, and the portion size is not too much that it will ruin your meal that you plan on eating later and you will be able to eat that meal latter-on. And we should point out here, being a Californian, The Dude and most of his fellow Californians really love Mexican and all Asian Cuisine Foods, and this is why Dude loves his Ramen with nice fresh green Asian vegetables, like Mustard Greens and especially Baby Bok Choy.       Along with eating dry Ramen Noodles on their own or with a little something on the side, you can have them with a piece of Kielbasa, a couple links of breakfast sausage, with Bacon, or one or two slices of fried Spam or Taylor Ham or any type of Ham you wish, even a Hot Dog or two will do. So the Dudes really favorite way and one of the more nutritious ways to have his Ramen is when he buys a pound or two of Baby Bok Choy. The Dude simply blanches the Bok Choy in salted boiling water that he cooks the Ramen in. Once the water comes to the boil he throws in 2-3 heads of the Baby Bok Choy that has been washed and split in half. Let the Bok Choy cook in the water for about 2 ½ minutes, take them out of the water with a slotted spoon and place in a colander to let excess water drain. At this point you put your noodles and the contents of the flavor packet in the boiling water. Put the Bok Choy on the plate and sprinkle on a little salt and Sesame Oil. Drain the Ramen Noodles from the water, place on the plate and season with salt, Sesame Oil, salt, and Hot Sauce. “Voila, you have a quick (6-8 minutes), super economical meal that has tasty noodles and delicious nutritious Baby Bok Choy. NOTE: You can use many different vegetables of your choice when making Ramen. Harder Green Vegetables such as Green Beans or Broccoli are best. You can also use the larger type of regular Bok Choy as well, but the baby type is preferred, and The Dude says it taste better and looks better on the plate to boot. Dude just loves it!   Ecerpted From GOT ANY KAHLUA ?   RECIPES in The Dude BIG LEBOWSKI COOKBOOK    

GOT ANY KAHLUA ?