Crunchy Ramen Salad.

Remember that salad with the sweet dressing and the crunchy ramen noodles?

IT’S STILL SO GOOD, Y’ALL.

And since I’ve lost all my income, I’ve taken a serious liking to things that cost very little money ~ like Ramen.

But I always have loved this recipe. Here’s a slightly tweaked version of this classic…

Can you even see around that stage hog avocado?

CRUNCHY RAMEN SALAD

Here’s the cast of characters:

ANY lettuce or leafy green of any sort (only got broccoli? No prob!)
Some kind of protein or filling food: avocado, chicken, shrimp, tofu, tempeh ~ something to turn this salad into a meal. Or go without and serve it with a grilled portobello mushroom, or some scallops. Just giving you options here.
A can of mandarin oranges. You might get away with pineapple, but the oranges are so special.
A package of Ramen (the old school, cheap kind)
Veggies GALORE.
If you already have canned Asian-style delicacies, like baby corn or water chestnuts, add them, you fool!!
And the dressing calls for simple pantry ingredients like oil, vinegar and sugar. Basics that shouldn’t send you to the scary grocery store.

Here’s the full recipe!!!

Okay, the first time I made this, I skipped the part where you brown the Ramen noodles, because I was too hungry to wait. Don’t skip this step ~ it’s a good one! But first, you need to actually cook the dressing for just a minute. 1/4 cup sugar (or even less if you’re watching your sugar), 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or white or apple cider vinegar), 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil, the packet from the Ramen, and 2 Tablespoons soy sauce. Bring it to a boil and let the sugar start to dissolve for a hot minute. Doesn’t take long!
Pour the dressing into the bottom of your salad bowl and allow it to cool. DON’T rinse your pan out!! That’s gonna make some sick flavor for your Ramen!
Return the pan to low heat, add a Tablespoon of butter (or coconut oil) and crunch up your Ramen noodles into little pieces. It might take a knife, or maybe you can use your hand if you’re strong-like-bull.
Drop in the Ramen and coat with the buttery sauce ~ allow to brown a little, and the Ramen will also soften slightly.
Drop the Ramen into the salad bowl and start adding the goodies: green onions, lettuce, the drained can of mandarin oranges, shredded chicken or protein of some sort, peanuts or cashews, sesame seeds, and all the other veggies you crave. I love matchstick carrots in beautiful salads like these. And edamame!!!
Stir and top with chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, or grilled shrimp ~ yummy!