Craving an Arabian feast that's both fast and affordable? Get ready to experience a flavor explosion that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but actually comes together with minimal effort and a clever secret ingredient.
Prepare to impress even the pickiest eaters with this unexpectedly delicious and budget-friendly meal!
Planning the Arabian Menu
I'm thinkin' about how to make this Arabian Feast super awesome, and first, let's map out this menu like we're plotting a treasure hunt for your taste buds! We'll start with beef ramen, it only takes 15 minutes! To enhance the soup's depth, similar to a quick Asian noodle soup, we can simmer some ginger in the broth.
First, you'll need 2 packets of ramen, a teaspoon of regular oil, plus 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and half an onion. Then, grab 7 ounces of ground beef, a cup and a quarter of water, and a handful of bean sprouts.
For the sauce, mix a tablespoon of dark soy sauce and oyster sauce, along with 2 teaspoons of Hoisin sauce, plus a tablespoon of mirin. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds. Trust me, it's a flavor explosion! We can also add chicken and mushrooms from now on.
Smart Shopping for Savings
Now that we've got our shopping list ready—it's time to talk about saving some cash, and trust me, every little bit counts! Let's start with the basics: hit up ethnic stores for those key spices and ingredients, because I've found they're way cheaper there.
Also, don't be shy to check out the bulk bins – I mean, who needs a whole jar of saffron when just a pinch will do? You can also find great deals on staples like soy sauce at Asian grocery stores. Remember to compare prices – it's tempting to just grab stuff, but a quick look can save you serious money. Buy the beef mince in bulk, if you plan to cook a lot and freeze some for future feasts.
Look for sales and discounts; I always check weekly ads before I shop. Plus, don't forget about generic versus name brand—sometimes, the only difference is the label, right?!
Streamlining the Preparation
Let's get prepped, because nobody wants to spend forever chopping and measuring before we even start cooking; so, here's how to make it easy! First, I mix the sauce: that's 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce—or hoisin, if you're feeling it—2 tsp hoisin, and 1 tbsp mirin!
Next, I slice half an onion. Don't cry; it's just an onion! I also mince two garlic cloves. Now that's what I call flavor-packing!
Now, get your bean sprouts ready. A big handful is fine. We aren't building a bean sprout skyscraper, just a nice little pile.
Oh, and don't forget to measure out 1 1/4 cups (315 ml) of water—plus a little extra, just in case those noodles get thirsty! Done! Time to get cooking; after all, we are going to cook in 8 minutes! The best part is no extra pots!
Prepping Ahead of Time
To make this ramen even quicker, you can totally get a head start! I'm talking about chopping the onion – half of one, you know – and mincing those two garlic cloves. Do it the night before, and bam! You're golden!
Mixing the sauce ahead is another pro move. Grab a bowl, toss in that 1 tbsp of dark soy sauce, the oyster sauce (1 tbsp), hoisin (2 tsp), and mirin (1 tbsp), and stir it up. Ready to go!
Plus, you could measure out the water – 1 1/4 cups. Keep it in a jug or something. Honestly, prepping the night before is like giving yourself a high five in the future. Trust me, you'll thank yourself! Less stress – more ramen!
Short Recipe Version
Arabian Ramen: Quick Recipe****
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
- Ramen noodles: 2 packages
- Onion: 1/2, chopped
- Hoisin sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Other Arabian spices: To taste
- Water/Broth: As needed
Instructions:
- Prepare noodles according to package directions.
- Saute chopped onion.
- Blend hoisin sauce and other Arabian spices to make the special sauce.
- Combine cooked noodles, sauteed onion, and sauce. Mix well; add broth as needed.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition (Approximate per serving):
- Calories: 400-500
- Protein: 15-20g
- Fat: 10-15g
- Carbohydrates: 60-70g