In praise of instant noodles

[IanSmithCSE]

God morning,

As mentioned elsewhere it is important to microwave the Pot Noodle using cold water rather than adding boiling water, doing this alllows the excess water to be boiled off opening the way for an additional flavouring.

Chicken and Mushroom is by far the most versatile, if you know that you are going to have to watch Midsommer Murders for example. a single pot with 4 vodkas 10 minutes before the start and another half way through works well.

Actually that is a little unfair as mixed with Cointreau as in Duck A L'Orange or with Black Tower or Blue Nun it can bring back fond memories of the 1970s.

On the other hand if you have bought a bottle of Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select but are reluctant to use it as anti-freeze then it is not a bad addition to Chow Mein and Soy Sauce and if you are looking for a Low Alcohol Pot Noodle then Ginger Wine works well but does lack a punch.

Being sweet to start with the only choice for Curry Flavour is Malibu, the coconut flavouring add a nice contrast and the two sweet flavours seem to subtract from each other rather than add.

Which leaves Beef And Tomato, this is tricky as I can't work out what the base flavour is to contrast of complement, peaty whiskeys such as a Laphroaig or a Port Charlotte seem to be the best option, but a bad port would also work, after all who would want to waste a good one?.

Bye

Ian

 

[Bazzer]

Purely by accident, a couple of weeks ago Mrs B and I came across a shop in Manchester selling a wide range of Japanese, Korean and Chinese foods. It was astonishing the number of different types of noodles available. We still have a packet of black beans ramen noodles to try.
I also bought a dozen pots of Korean made hot chicken flavour ramen noodles from Costco. Very enjoyable and so hot they leave my lips tingling.

 

[mistyoptic]

Which leaves Beef And Tomato, this is tricky as I can't work out what the base flavour is to contrast of complement, peaty whiskeys such as a Laphroaig or a Port Charlotte seem to be the best option

if I might suggest a spiced rum might work, one with ginger notes

 

[Dogtrousers]

I just checked and the ones I have in my cupboard are Koka brand. Unlike Pot Noodles, which are a bit of an inferior imitation, these require some culinary skill to prepare. You have to empty the packet into boiling water and cook for a whole 2 minutes. Proper haute cuisine.

I was surprised to see that a couple of them are lobster flavour. If the lobsters in question taste generally of MSG that's probably about right. Some of the Koka ones come with sachets of chilli oil (well, it's probably industrial capsaicin dissolved in 3-in-1) which is pretty fiery.

I know what I'll be having for lunch today. (But not a whole 10 pack. That would be greedy)

Ready in just minutes, Koka Lobster Flavour Noodles are ideal for busy individuals seeking a gourmet touch without the hassle. <- That's me.

 

[BrumJim]

Went to China. Lots of people eating pot noodles, although strangely not the Western brands, including families with a whole stack of them, one for each member. So much so, that the long distance (particularly sleeper) trains had a boiling water dispenser at the end of the carriage where people could add this to their noodles.

Worth visiting your local Chinese or other oriental supermarket and seeing the wide variety of pot noodle options that are way better than the Western equivalents.

 

[a.twiddler]

No surprise that instant noodles are very popular over here. We keep a few packets in the cupboard as emergency food.

In the early eighties Vesta ready meals were all the rage. Can remember myself and then girlfriend making a Vesta paella type thing, and thinking how sophisticated and continental we must be

Vesta Ready Meals...such a blast from the past! Used to like the Beef Rissotto and Beef Curry (which had probably never seen a cow). They got harder to find before they finally disappeared. Strangely, the Chow Mein is still around.

As for instant noodles, we used to make regular trips to Chinatown in Manchester at one time and buy bulk boxes of several flavours while doing oriental shopping. Nowadays you can get them in your local supermarket.