The following “Chew This!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information and dates.

Ramen Salad

Blaise Doubman

I know that the big trend right now is “ramen” anything and everything, so I thought that I would hop on the band wagon. I have always loved ramen and used to think, perhaps much like you do now, that ramen is the cheap little noodles in the package with that flavored salt that might cost a quarter. You would not be wrong but you are not 100% right either. That is a type of ramen but in a total sense of the word, ramen is so much more than just the cheap grocery store staple that college kids buy as a way to eat and save money. 

Not many people know that ramen actually is quite different than pasta noodles and even originated somewhere different than Italy. A lot of people think that ramen is unhealthy too but the truth is, they are actually high in protein and pretty good for you when dressed with the proper dressing. The dressing I am sharing here today is not the healthiest of options, however, it can quickly be made as healthy, in terms of leaving out the chicken salt packages that I call for in the recipe. Instead you can use ch I keen flavoring or simply nothing at all. This is delicious! 

Easy Ramen Salad

Leftovers can be kept covered and chilled for about 3-4 days.

3 packages chicken flavored ramen

12 oz broccoli slaw

1 cup thinly diced red onion

1 cup frozen peas

1 can whole kernel corn, drained

1 1/4 cups roasted sunflower seeds 

1/2 cup white granulated sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper 

In a large bowl, break up the dry ramen noodles into small pieces.

Add in the broccoli slaw, diced red onion, frozen peas, whole kernel corn and roasted sunflower seeds. Stir all of this together until combined.

In a medium, microwave safe bowl, combine together the white granulated sugar, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and black pepper. Microwave on high for 90 seconds.

Remove and pour over the ramen mixture. Stir everything together evenly until combined.

Cover and place into the refrigerator to chill overnight. 

Uncover and enjoy.

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