spinach ramen

It’s December, and the food world has gone crazy for roasted root vegetables and peppermint desserts and mulled drinks and all things Christmasy. I am not immune to this- but as well as being happy and festive, December can be a time for being freezing cold and getting ill- and roasted candy cane parsnips aren’t gonna do anything for that.

So if you need warming up, here’s a recipe for you. 8 ingredients and 10 minutes are all you need. I’m not going for authentic Japanese ramen here, I’m going for a quick and easy hit of carbs, protein, vitamin c and spice- so you poor sickly folk can get back in the festive spirit as quick as you can.

I call it spicy because the chili and black pepper give it a kick, but it’s pretty mild. If you want it properly spicy, add the seeds from the chili and maybe a little chili oil into the broth.

spinach ramen

spicy spinach ramen bowl

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Ingredients

  • 1 portion of egg noodles
  • 1.5 cups vegetable broth, I use vegetarian chicken flavoured boullion- use whatever you like
  • 0.5-1 Tbsp soy sauce, depending on how salty your stock is and how salty you like things- with a very concentrated stock, you won't want a full tablespoon
  • ¼ tsp toasted sesame oil
  • ½ red chili, sliced (double if you want it proper spicy)
  • 2-4 Tbsp frozen spinach, or a couple handfuls of fresh
  • 1 egg
  • Ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • First, chop your chili into little strips and fry them for a few minutes over high heat until they start to crisp up a little.
  • Simmer the noodles in the stock until cooked (skinny noodles only need around 3 minutes, thicker ones about 8). When they are almost finished, throw the frozen spinach in. You will need to turn the heat back up because the stock will cool right down at this point, so bring it back up to a simmer as quick as you can, and leave it until the spinach has thawed and separated Stir it though, add the soy sauce and sesame oil, grind in some black pepper, and its done.
  • Meanwhile poach your egg (personally I like to use silicone poach pods for this- egg poaching is just a little bit too exact for me and the pods are great because they don’t require any oil) You could also fry the egg.
  • To serve, pour the noodles in a bowl and top with the egg and chili.
Author: Christine Melanson
spinach ramen bowl