Ramen is a popular Japanese dish that is known and loved all around the world. But did you know that you can make it even more delicious by adding rice cakes? Rice cakes, also known as mochi, are chewy and sticky disks made from glutinous rice. When added to ramen, they add an extra layer of texture and flavor that will leave you wanting more. In this article, we will guide you through a deliciously simple recipe on how to cook rice cakes in ramen.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s first gather all the ingredients we will need. To make rice cakes in ramen, you will need the following:
– 1 package of instant ramen noodles
– Rice cakes (you can find them at your local Asian grocery store)
– A variety of vegetables of your choice (carrots, mushrooms, spinach, etc.)
– Optional toppings like sliced green onions and sesame seeds
– Some soy sauce and sesame oil for added flavor
Make sure you have all the ingredients ready before you start cooking.
Preparing the Rice Cakes
Now that we have all the ingredients, let’s move on to preparing the rice cakes. Rice cakes come in many shapes and sizes, but they all need to be softened before adding them to the ramen. To do this, fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully drop the rice cakes into the pot. Let them cook for a few minutes until they become soft and chewy. Once they are ready, drain the water and set the rice cakes aside.
Preparing the Ramen
With the rice cakes ready, it’s time to prepare the ramen. Start by boiling some water in a separate pot. Once the water is boiling, add the ramen noodles and cook them according to the package instructions. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
While the noodles are cooking, you can prepare your chosen vegetables. Wash and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Carrots can be thinly sliced, mushrooms can be quartered, and spinach can be roughly chopped. Be creative and experiment with different vegetables to suit your taste.
In a frying pan, heat a small amount of sesame oil. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté them until they become tender. You can add some soy sauce for added flavor if you like. Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, set them aside.
Putting it All Together
Now that we have cooked the rice cakes and prepared the ramen and vegetables, it’s time to put everything together. Start by draining the cooked ramen noodles and transferring them to a bowl. Add the sautéed vegetables on top of the noodles, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Next, take the cooked rice cakes and gently place them on top of the vegetables. The rice cakes will absorb some of the flavors from the ramen and vegetables, adding a delicious chewiness to every bite.
To finish off your rice cakes in ramen, you can sprinkle some sliced green onions and sesame seeds on top for added freshness and crunch. Feel free to get creative with your toppings and add anything that appeals to you.
Final Thoughts
Cooking rice cakes in ramen is a simple yet rewarding experience. By following this recipe, you can elevate your ramen to a whole new level of deliciousness. The chewy and sticky texture of the rice cakes combined with the savory flavors of the ramen and vegetables will create a dish that you won’t be able to resist.
Remember to experiment with different vegetables and toppings to make it truly your own. So next time you’re craving ramen, don’t hesitate to try this deliciously simple recipe. Enjoy the wonderful combination of flavors and textures that rice cakes bring to your bowl of ramen!