Nothing to eat? Take a double look at that pantry and guess again.
Found in college housing throughout the U.S., oatmeal and Ramen noodles can produce a plethora of delicious meals in just minutes. Here are five interesting recipes highlighting these two ingredients. All are easy to make and enjoyable to eat.
1. Sourdough Oatmeal Sandwich: Firm up those oats by reducing the amount of water used for cooking, otherwise your sandwich will just be a soggy mess. Sprinkle the oatmeal with a little brown sugar and press between two slices of toasted sourdough bread slathered with peanut butter. The salty-sweet combo of the peanut butter and bread and the contrasting textures elevate these oats from breakfast to dinner in no time.
Instead of eating just just noodles or tomato soup, try adding them together. (CU Independent/Robert R. Denton)
2. Ramen Tomato Noodle Soup: Omit the prepackaged seasoning that comes with Ramen for this flavorful soup. Cook the noodles as the package instructs, and add a can of tomato soup when they are almost done, stirring until hot. The finish product helps you avoid the step of crumbling Saltines in your soup, as the noodles add a great starchy taste already.
3. Oatmeal Smoothie: If you are not a huge fan of oatmeal’s texture but are still looking to incorporate its health benefits into your diet, consider making a smoothie with your precooked oats. In a blender, combine a half cup of oatmeal with two bananas, two cups of ice, one third cup of yogurt, one third cup of almonds and blend until smooth. The result is a high protein drink that will fuel you through your workout or an all night study sesh.
4. Ramen Noodle Salad: Healthy Ramen noodles may seem to be one of the greatest oxymoron’s in the cooking world, but when these uncooked noodles are broken into pieces and combined with lettuce, carrots, sliced green onions and slivered almonds, the result is a crunchy and guilt-free meal. Top this fresh salad with a dressing of your choice, or combine the seasoning packet with oil and honey for an on-the-fly vinaigrette.
5. Oatmeal Crepes: The beauty of these delicious crepes is their simplicity. Blend one cup of quick oats in a blender, creating a flour-like texture. Remove the oats from the blender, and beat two egg whites in the blender on low speed. Slowly add the oats back into the blender and once combined, mix on high for 30 seconds. Viola! Crepe batter that is ready to be cooked on a skillet. Fill with your choice of toppings: sliced bananas and peanut butter if you are being good, or chocolate and whipped creme if you need a treat after a long week of midterms.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kelsey Anne Lindsey at Kelsey.a.lindsey@colorado.edu.
