February 25, 2021
From the Driftwood Kitchen
his semester, The Driftwood will bring you easy-peasy recipes for new cooks. We’re talking REALLY easy—and fast.
A Ramen Upgrade
Things couldn’t get more simple than handy-dandy ramen packets. That’s why we’re going to share an easy way to upgrade your ramen. This is definitely a recipe that you can change as much as you want! You can make a lot of variations using different ramen packets and sauces. That’s why this is one of my favorite simple creations!
Ingredients:
- Chicken breast ramen packet (or your choice of flavor)
- ½ cup of shredded carrots
- ½ cup of red cabbage
- 3 tablespoons of sesame oil (can substitute vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (optional for flavor)
Instructions:
- The chicken and cabbage need to get chopped up. I like to cut my chicken into chunks and my cabbage into inch-length strips.
- You’ll need a pan to start cooking your cabbage and carrots together with 1½ tablespoons of sesame oil. This is one of those that you cook until you feel the vegetables are done. I like mine to stay pretty crispy, so I cook them for about 10 minutes at a medium temperature.
- In another pan, cook your chicken with the remaining oil. This is cooked on medium until the chicken is done with no pink on the inside. Make sure to cut a piece in half to make sure no pink remains. You don’t want raw chicken!
- It’s finally time to start making your ramen. Follow the instructions on the package to make the noodles, but don’t throw in the spices? packet unless you want that flavor! Sometimes I’ll skip the packet and use my own seasonings to get the flavor I’m looking for!
- It’s finally time to combine all of our ingredients but don’t turn off the stove yet! We want all of it to cook together for at least 5 minutes. This is the time to throw in any soy sauce or other sauces you might want. Feel free to garnish with whatever you like (including the fried egg and scallions in the photo example). That completes this recipe. Enjoy!
—Whisper McDonald
Ground Beef with Scallions Ramen
Yield: 1 serving. Time: 10-15 minutes total.
Ingredients:
- One ramen packet (Your choice of flavor)
- ½ lb. ground beef
- 2 stalks of scallions, sliced
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp. of vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp. of fish sauce (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a pan, place over high heat until it becomes hot, then drizzle in your oil.
- Once that oil becomes hot enough, season your ground beef with salt and pepper, and carefully toss the ground beef into the pan. Cook out your beef thoroughly.
- Fill a separate small pot halfway with water, and place it over a stove on high heat. Let the pot sit until it comes to a rolling boil.
- Once the water is boiling, toss in your noodles, and cook it out for 2-3 minutes. Combine noodles with the artificial seasoning that came in the packet.
- Transfer your finished noodles into a bowl.
Time to assemble your dish:
- In your noodles, drizzle in 1 Tbsp. of fish sauce.
- Lay your ground beef on one side of the bowl; be generous with the protein.
- Add your cooked egg (cooked however you like).
- Lastly, place sliced scallions on top of the egg as a garnish.
And you’re done! Enjoy it while it’s still fresh!
—Bruce Kong
Delicious DIY Mini Pizzas
Even though pizza was invented in Italy, it’s America’s favorite dish! According to a survey in Reader’s Digest, 21% of U.S. adults reported if they could eat only one food for the rest of their lives, it would be pizza. The frozen kind is all right, but that can’t even compare to my family’s favorite quick, easy, and super tasty homemade mini pizzas. Bonus: you get to create them to your exact liking!
Ingredients:
- 1 package refrigerated flaky biscuits (Pillsbury Grands work well)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella work well)
- Your choice of toppings! Here are some recommendations:
- Meats (pepperoni minis, bacon bits, chopped ham, sausage crumbles)
- Diced veggies (olives, onions, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet.
- Place the biscuits on the cookie sheet, spreading the dough slightly with your fingers.
- Spread one tablespoon of sauce and sprinkle two tablespoons of cheese on each biscuit. Add your desired toppings.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until done. Serve and enjoy!
—Mallory Allen, Cooking Editor