I've been trying to optimize the best balance between cheap, fast, and being able to meet the most nutritional needs for people. It should also keep for a pretty long time, not make a bunch of dirty dishes, and not be something that people are likely to help themselves to if they're at my place. Anyway, ramen egg-drop soup fits the bill well.
At Dollar General, I got a 12-pack of ramen for $2.75. It's cheaper at Aldi, but Dollar General I can walk to. Eggs are $1.75 a dozen, and they'll usually keep about a month in the fridge. If an egg is spoiled, you'll know it instantly by the smell, so you don't really have to worry; if you're unsure, that means it's fine. If eggs are maybe a week from spoiling, the yolk will tend to break open a bit easier. As a bonus, eggs near their expiration date can be hard-boiled and the shell is a lot easier to peel off for those eggs, for whatever reason. Eggs, like milk, have a really balanced nutritional profile because they're meant to provide all the nutrition a growing animal requires.
Anyway, to make it in the microwave, I'll crack an egg in a bowl, and turn the hot water on. Then mix up the egg good, like I was going to make an omelet. By now the hot water is hot, so I fill the bowl most of the way with water, and put it in the microwave for two minutes. While it's cooking, I get out the ramen, open the package, then tear open the seasoning packet. Usually toss the crumbs with the wrapper, they're not worth the mess.
When the timer is up, add the seasoning mix, stir, then add the noodles, making sure the noodles are all covered up with liquid. Cook for another two minutes. Ideally, you wait a minute or two after the timer ends, so the noodles are softer, but you don't need to. Then add about three ice cubes to the soup and stir it up until they melt. That'll usually get it so it's still hot, but you won't burn your mouth on it. I can usually prepare and eat it in ten minutes.
Anyway, it really freaks me out to be completely out of food, with no money, or with the stores all closed. Having that box of ramen in the cupboard is a nice reassurance for when I'm hungry and completely out of everything else. And mixing the egg in really improves both the taste and the nutritional quality. I mean, it's still not super healthy, but you can survive on it for a while if you have to, at least for longer than you can plain ramen.
Figured you guys would appreciate this bit of info. :)
March 15, 2018 at 10:58AM
